Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1900 edition. Excerpt: ... NOTES. The Motto is quoted from Virgil's Aene.id, v. 390-391, and represents Cowper's appeal to England. The English of the quotation is, "Will you then so tamely allow such great prizes to be carried off without any contest?" The words were addressed by the Trojan prince Acestes to a famous old hero who was watching some sports arranged by Aeneas. A braggart had challenged all the onlookers to a boxing match. The reproof of Acestes caused the old hero to take up the challenge, in spite of advanced age, with the result that he carried off the prize. So Cowper asks England if she will allow all the blessings she enjoys to be lost in consequence of her indifference to religion. I. Muse, goddess of poetry. Cowper professes in this poem to answer the question in this line. 4. clothed with a smile; a confused metaphor, since smiles have no connection with clothing. The meaning is clear--" Does not England display happiness in all directions and at all times?" 7, 8. These lines describe the worldliness of the eighteenth century. People pursued pleasure and put aside all serious thoughts. 10. horn, the Cornucopia, or horn of plenty, which is used in art to represent abundance of nature's productions. Plenty, Art, and Commerce are examples of personification, the abstract idea being treated as though it were a person. II. Ambrosial, fragrant. The Greek "ambrosia" was the imaginary food of the gods which maintained their immortality. Poets use the word "ambrosial" to describe anything extremely sweet. Art supplies, etc., by artificial means the plants of tropical countries are made to grow in England. 12. fervour, heat; force, power of making plants grow, or forcing them. 43 14. his golden tide, the valuable cargoes of ships coming to England;...