Herfordshire born Cowper(pronounced Cooper) poet & of evangelical 'Olney hymnal' fame (with a fragile mental history) produces a very recitable cadenced eleven six lined verses in which the concluding couplets ten&eleven identify his overiding but underlying self--concern theme.Each stanza has a (abab )quatrain for the narrative with a (cc) couplet providing a running observation throughout revealing Cowper's elegaic state of mind
Adornment in man's eye reveals
the ego centered self-concern,
while overlooking God's appeal
is higher, towards the spirit's yearn.
So buckled with contingent seal
the use of kind, elaborate earn,
one glance toward heaven soars to feel
the otherwise appointed learn.
Not finding in my own context,
I must rekindle thoughts adjourn
the height of predicating quest
that measures worth by self-return!
Oh, endless thought were once my prime
today the echoes sublimate
while thee, that once were metered rhyme
now sounds but stifle my relate!
"Tis us, acoustics narrow mate
that selfish monitoring pride,
inhibits thought's accelerate
and toward attention steals to ride.
Did compliment my fond estate
that once outstanding, thee in stride
now force for truth, a run-a-way
is always searching for Hope's bide!
Do cover then my error small
and of my penance not belate
as spacious beauty in enthrall
my overhead, not being rate!
God's tapestry to cover all
the seasons of my love's abate!
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