Page:The poetical works of William Cowper (IA poeticalworksof00cowp).pdf/29



by father and mother Cowper was of gentle blood. His father's family is traced back without interruption to the time of Edward IV., when the Cowpers were possessors of land at Strode, in the parish of Slinfold, in Sussex. His mother was Ann, daughter of Roger Donne of Ludham Hall, Norfolk, of the same family as Dr. Donne, the Dean of St. Paul's, and said to be "descended through four different lines from King Henry II."

A younger member of the Cowper family, leaving Strode in the possession of his elder brother, settled in London in the reign of Henry VIII, married an heiress, Margaret Spencer, and bought an estate at Nonington, in Kent. His son John, Alderman of London, who died in 1609, was the father of Sir William, the first baronet. Sir William is noteworthy for his love and reverence for Hooker, "his spiritual father," as Walton calls him. It was he who erected the monument to the great divine in Bishopsbourne Church, and composed the epitaph for it, which will not be out of place here.

Though nothing can be spoke worthy his fame, Or the remembrance of that precious name, Judicious ; though this cost be spent On him that hath a lasting monument In his own books; yet ought we to express, If not his worth, yet our respectfulness. Church ceremonies he maintain'd; then why Without all ceremony should he die? Was it because his life and death should be Both equal patterns of humility? Or that, perhaps, this only glorious one Was above all, to ask, why had he none? Yet he that lay so long obscurely low, Doth now preferr'd to greater honours go. Ambitious men, learn hence to be more wise, Humility is the true way to rise: And God in me this lesson did inspire, To bid this humble man, 'Friend, sit up higher.

Sir William was an ardent Churchman and Royalist, and was imprisoned with his son John during the Commonwealth. The latter died in prison, leaving an