Poem of the day illustration

Fri Apr 10 2026

Poem of the day

On The Author Of Letters On Literature.[1]

The Genius of the Augustan age
His head among Rome’s ruins rear’d,
And, bursting with heroic rage,
When literary Heron appear’d;


Thou hast, he cried, like him of old
Who set the Ephesian dome on fire,
By being scandalously bold,
Attain’d the mark of thy desire.


And for traducing Virgil’s name
Shalt share his merited reward;
A perpetuity of fame,
That rots, and stinks, and is abhorr’d.

William Cowper

William Cowper

William Cowper was an English poet and hymnodist known for his contributions to English literature and the Evangelical revival of the 18th century. He suffered from periods of severe depression and mental illness, which influenced much of his work. Despite his struggles, Cowper produced notable works including 'Olney Hymns' in collaboration with John Newton and 'The Task,' which gained considerable popularity. His poetry is often characterized by its introspective, religious, and sometimes melancholic themes.

William Cowper