Poetry Codex

Metaphysical & Cavalier

Abraham Cowley

1618–1667

Abraham Cowley (1618–1667) was among the most celebrated English poets of his century, a child prodigy admired for his metaphysical wit.

His 1656 Poems gathers odes, elegies, and the love sequence The Mistress.

Major Works (1)

  1. Davideis — Epic poem, 1656

Poems (151)

  1. ODE. Of Wit.
  2. To the Lord Falkland. For his safe Return from the Northern Expedition against the Scots.
  3. On the Death of Sir Henry Wootton.
  4. On the Death of Mr. Iordan, Second Master at Westminster School.
  5. On His Majesties Return out of Scotland.
  6. On the Death of Sir Anthony Vandike, The famous Painter.
  7. Prometheus ill-painted.
  8. ODE.
  9. Friendship in Absence.
  10. To the Bishop of Lincoln, Upon his Enlargement out of the Tower.
  11. To a Lady who made Posies for Rings.
  12. Prologue to the GuardianBefore the Prince.
  13. The Epilogue.
  14. On the Death of Mr. William Hervey.
  15. ODE. In imitation of Horace his Ode. Quis multâ gracilis te puer in rosâ Perfusus, &c. Lib. 1. Od. 5.
  16. In imitation of Martials Epigram. Si tecum mihi care Martialis, &c. L. 5. Ep. 21:
  17. The Chronicle. A Ballad.
  18. To Sir William Davenant. Upon his two first Books of Gondibert, finished before his voyage to America.
  19. An Answer to a Copy of Verses sent me to Iersey.
  20. The Tree of Knowledge. That there is no Knowledge. Against the Dogmatists.
  21. Reason. The use of it in Divine Matters.
  22. On the Death of Mr. Crashaw.
  23. Drinking.
  24. Beauty.
  25. The Duel.
  26. Age.
  27. The Account.
  28. Gold.
  29. The Epicure.
  30. Another.
  31. The Grashopper.
  32. The Swallow.
  33. ELEGIE UPON ANACREON, Who was choaked by a GRAPE-STONE.
  34. The Thraldome.
  35. The Given Love.
  36. The Spring.
  37. Written in Iuice of Lemmon.
  38. Inconstancy.
  39. Not Fair.
  40. Platonick Love.
  41. The Change.
  42. Clad all in White▪
  43. Leaving Me, and then loving Many▪
  44. My Heart discovered▪
  45. Answer to the Platonicks.
  46. The vain Love. Loving one first because she could love no body, afterwards loving her with desire.
  47. The Soul▪
  48. The Passions.
  49. Wisdom.
  50. The Despair.
  51. The Wish.
  52. My Dyet.
  53. The Thief.
  54. All-over, Love.
  55. Love and Life.
  56. The Bargain.
  57. The Long Life.
  58. Counsel.
  59. Resolved to be beloved.
  60. The Same.
  61. The Discovery.
  62. Against Fruition.
  63. Love undiscovered.
  64. The given Heart.
  65. The Prophet.
  66. The Resolution.
  67. Called Inconstant.
  68. The Welcome.
  69. The Heart fled again.
  70. Womens Superstition.
  71. The Soul.
  72. Eccho.
  73. The rich Rival.
  74. Against Hope.
  75. For Hope.
  76. Loves Ingratitude.
  77. The Frailty,
  78. Coldness.
  79. The Injoyment.
  80. Sleep.
  81. Beauty.
  82. The Parting.
  83. My Picture.
  84. The Concealment.
  85. The Monopoly.
  86. The Distance▪
  87. The Encrease▪
  88. Loves Visibility.
  89. Looking on, and discoursing with his Mistress.
  90. Resolved to Love.
  91. My Fate▪
  92. The Heart- breaking.
  93. The Vsurpation.
  94. Maidenhead.
  95. Impossibilities.
  96. Silence.
  97. The Dissembler.
  98. The Inconstant.
  99. The Constant.
  100. Her Name.
  101. Weeping.
  102. Discretion.
  103. The Waiting-Maid.
  104. Counsel.
  105. The Cure.
  106. The Separation.
  107. The Tree.
  108. Her Vnbelief.
  109. The Gazers.
  110. The Incurable.
  111. Honor
  112. The Innocent Ill.
  113. DIALOGUE. After Enjoyment.
  114. Verses lost upon a Wager.
  115. Bathing in the River.
  116. Love given over.
  117. 3.
  118. 5.
  119. 7.
  120. 10.
  121. 2.
  122. 3.
  123. 2.
  124. 3.
  125. 2.
  126. 5.
  127. 6.
  128. Brutus.
  129. The Extasie.
  130. 2.
  131. 3.
  132. 4.
  133. 5:
  134. 6.
  135. 8.
  136. 9.
  137. 12.
  138. 16.
  139. A Supplication
  140. The Complaint
  141. Of Solitude
  142. Upon the Shortness of Man's Life
  143. On the Praise of Poetry
  144. The Motto
  145. Life
  146. The Plagues of Egypt
  147. Destinie
  148. Hymn. To Light
  149. To Mr. Hobbes
  150. To the Royal Society
  151. Of Myself

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