Abraham Cowley was an English poet and essayist of the 17th century. He was born in the City of London in 1618. Cowley’s writing style was influenced by the metaphysical poets of the 17th century, and his works often explored themes of love, nature, and the human condition. His writings were quite popular, with 14 printings of his Works published between 1668 and 1721. Cowley’s literary contributions have left a lasting mark on English poetry, and he is remembered as an important figure in the literary history of the 17th century. Cowley’s father, a wealthy Londoner, passed away shortly before Abraham’s birth in 1618 and he was raised by his mother and other family members.
“The Faerie Queene” is an epic poem written by the renowned English poet Edmund Spenser. The poem was dedicated to Queen Elizabeth I and was intended to celebrate her reign and the Tudor dynasty. It is interesting to note that Abraham Cowley had “The Faerie Queene” as his favourite reading during his childhood. The poem’s influence on Cowley’s literary development.
Abraham Cowley’s early literary efforts are remarkable. It is documented that as early as 1628 when he was just ten years old, he composed a work titled “The Tragicall Historie of Piramus and Thisbe” an epic romance written in a style of his own invention, a six-line stanza. Just two years later, at the age of twelve, Cowley wrote another ambitious poem titled “Constantia and Philetus.” At the age of thirteen, he wrote an elegy on the death of Dudley, Lord Carlton, further showcasing his talent as a poet.
All of these early poems, including some smaller ones, were collected in 1633 and published in a volume titled “Poeticall Blossomes” and revised in 1636. This collection was dedicated to Lambert Osbaldeston, the headmaster of Westminster School.
Abraham Cowley’s pastoral comedy, “Love’s Riddle,” (1638) a play was an impressive work when he was just sixteen years old. “Love’s Riddle” is notable for its airy, correct, and harmonious language, as well as its rapid movement. It seems that Cowley’s work in “Love’s Riddle” may have been influenced by the writing of Thomas Randolph. In 1638 a Latin comedy, the Naufragium Joculare, was printed.
During the English Civil War the play The Guardian (1641), a play, later revised as The Cutter of Coleman Street (performed 1661; published 1663). The play is described as bright and amusing, following a style common to the “sons” of Ben Jonson. The “sons” of Ben Jonson were writers who emulated the style and wit of the renowned playwright and poet Ben Jonson, who was known for his comedies and satirical works.
Cowley published two anti-Puritan satires: A Satyre Against Separatists (1642), also known as The Puritans Lecture, and The Puritan and the Papist (1643).
After the Battle of Marston Moor, he followed the queen to Paris, where his exile lasted twelve years. This period was spent almost entirely in the royal service. During his exile, he became familiar with the works of Pindar, who was among the canonical nine lyric poets of ancient Greece. Then Cowley was determined to reproduce their lofty lyric passion in English. The Pindaric ode form allowed for a greater degree of freedom and creativity in English poetry, enabling poets to explore a wide range of themes and emotions with a less rigid structure. Cowley’s experimentation with this form opened the door for subsequent poets to follow in his footsteps.
Cowley’s innovative use of iambic lines of irregular length, pattern, and rhyme scheme in his odes had a profound influence on English poetry. These types of odes are often referred to as “Pindarics,” “Irregular Odes,” or “Cowleyan Odes” in recognition of his contribution to the form. Some of the most famous odes written in the Pindaric tradition after Cowley include Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s “Ode on the Departing Year” and William Wordsworth’s “Ode: Intimations of Immortality.” These poets, like Cowley, embraced the irregularity and flexibility of the form to convey deep and often philosophical themes, and their works are celebrated as significant contributions to the tradition of Pindaric odes in English literature.
In 1647, Abraham Cowley published a collection of his love poems titled “The Mistress” which was a popular work during the 17th century and was well-received in its time. However, as literary tastes and sensibilities have evolved over the centuries, this collection of love poems has become less widely read and studied in comparison to some of Cowley’s other works. The reasons for this shift in popularity may include changes in poetic styles and preferences, as well as evolving societal attitudes toward love and romance in literature. However, in the following year, in 1648, Cowley also published a volume of satirical works titled “The Four Ages of England.” These satires were less successful and are often considered of lower literary quality compared to his other works.
The 1656 volume of Abraham Cowley’s collected poems, included includes Miscellanies, Anacreontiques, Davideis, and Pindarique Odes.
- “Anacreontiques”: These are poems inspired by the style of the ancient Greek poet Anacreon, known for his poetry on love and wine. Cowley’s Anacreontiques likely reflect themes of love and pleasure.
- “Davideis”: An epic poem that focuses on the biblical story of King David. This work explores the adventures and experiences of King David’s early life. This epic exists in the original Latin, an English version of the epic, divided into four books and titled “The Davideis,” which was published after Cowley’s death.
- “Pindarique Odes”: Cowley’s Pindaric odes are characterized by their irregular structure and style. They take inspiration from the ancient Greek poet Pindar and explore a wide range of subjects.
Abraham Cowley’s later years were marked by a retreat to the countryside, a pursuit of botany and scholarly interests, and a quieter life. Withdraw from city life, he acquired a property near Chertsey, a location in the English countryside. Here, he devoted himself to the study of botany and immersed himself in books. He expressed his views on this subject in a pamphlet titled “The Advancement of Experimental Philosophy,” published in 1661. This pamphlet advocated for the promotion and protection of scientific exploration and experimentation, reflecting Cowley’s commitment to the advancement of knowledge in the realm of science.
In 1662, Abraham Cowley published the first two books of his work titled “Plantarum libri duo” (Two Books of Plants). In 1663, Cowley published a collection of poems titled “Verses upon several occasions.” Within this collection, “The Complaint” is included. This poem is one of his notable works and was a part of this compilation.
In 1656 Cowley wrote an elegy “On the Death of Mr. Crashaw” to commemorate the death of his friend Richard Crashaw. The poem celebrates the life and works of Richard Crashaw, whom Cowley refers to as a “Poet and Saint.” Cowley praises Crashaw’s poetry as having a divine quality, suggesting that his poems are heavenly and spiritual in nature. He mentions that Crashaw’s poetic compositions bring the art of poetry back to its sacred and holy origins. Cowley envisions that Crashaw’s songs will continue to be sung with angelic and divine melodies, emphasizing the enduring nature of his friend’s poetic legacy.
Abraham Cowley passed away in the Porch House in Chertsey, a town in Surrey, England. His death was the result of catching a cold while overseeing his farm laborers in the meadows during a late summer evening. On August 3, 1667, Cowley was laid to rest in Westminster Abbey. He was interred beside the remains of two other esteemed English poets, Geoffrey Chaucer and Edmund Spenser. In 1675, the Duke of Buckingham had a monument erected in Cowley’s memory within the abbey, further recognizing his contribution to English literature.
Abraham Cowley’s works were compiled and published in several editions after his death.
- “Works (1668)”: This collection consists of both previously printed works and those that Cowley had intended for publication. It includes his essays and “Plantarum libri sex,” which is a botanical treatise.
- “Works (1681)”: This edition of Cowley’s works includes a second part, which contains writings that he had written and published during his younger years.
- “Works (1689)”: The 1689 edition includes a third part, which features “His Six Books of Plants,” a work that had never been published in English before. This addition to the collection further highlights Cowley’s botanical interests.
These posthumous collections of Cowley’s works provided a comprehensive view of his literary output, spanning different genres and subjects, from poetry and essays to botanical treatises. They also served to preserve his legacy and make his writings accessible to a wider audience.
Although Cowley was once a highly regarded and influential poet during his lifetime, his poetry did fall into relative neglect in the years that followed. However, his work, especially his influence on the Pindaric ode form, continues to be appreciated and studied by those interested in the history of English poetry and literary development.