Sonnet To Henry Cowper, Esq.

Cowper, whose silver voice, tasked sometimes hard, Legends prolix delivers in the ears (Attentive when thou read'st) of England's peers, Let verse at length yield thee thy just reward. Thou wast not heard with drowsy disregard, Expending late on all that length of plea Thy generous powers, but silence honoured thee, Mute as e'er gazed on orator or bard. Thou art not voice alone, but hast beside Both heart and head; and couldst with music sweet Of attic phrase and senatorial tone, Like thy renowned forefathers, far and wide Thy fame diffuse, praised not for utterance meet Of others' speech, but magic of thy own.