William Cowper，1731—1800，was the son of an English clergyman；both his parents were descended from noble families.He was always of a gentle，timid disposition；and the roughness of his schoolfellows increased his weakness in this respect.He studied law，and was admitted to the bar，but never practiced his profession.When he was about thirty years of age，he was appointed to a clerkship in the House of Lords，but could not summon courage to enter upon the discharge of its duties.He was so disturbed by this affair that he became insane，sought to destroy himself，and had to be consigned to a private asylum.Soon after his recovery，he found a congenial home in the family of the Rev.Mr.Unwin.On the death of this gentleman，a few years later，he continued to reside with his widow till her death，a short time before that of Cowper.Most of this time their home was at Olney.His first writings were published in 1782.He wrote several beautiful hymns，“The Task，”and some minor poems.These，with his translations of Homer and his correspondence，make up his published works.His life was always pure and gentle；he took great pleasure in simple，natural objects，and in playing with animals.His insanity returned from time to time，and darkened his life at its close.When six years of age，he lost his mother；and the following selection is part of a touching tribute to her memory，written many years later.
Oh that those lips had language！Life has passed
With me but roughly since I heard them last.
My mother，when I learned that thou wast dead，
Say，wast thou conscious of the tears I shed？
Hovered thy spirit o'er thy sorrowing son，
Wretch even then，life's journey just begun？
Perhaps thou gayest me，though unfelt，a kiss，
Perhaps a tear，if souls can weep in bliss.
Ah，that maternal smile！it answers—Yes！
I heard the bell tolled on thy burial day；
I saw the hearse that bore thee slow away；
And，turning from my nursery window，drew
A long，long sigh，and wept a last adieu！
But was it such？It was.Where thou art gone，
Adieus and farewells are a sound unknown.
May I but meet thee on that peaceful shore，
The parting word shall pass my lips no more.
Thy maidens，grieved themselves at my concern，
Oft gave me promise of thy quick return；
What ardently I wished，I long believed；
And，disappointed still，was still deceived；
By expectation，every day beguiled，
Dupe of to-morrow，even when a child.
Thus many a sad to-morrow came and went，
Till，all my stock of infant sorrows spent，
I learned at last submission to my lot；
But，though I less deplored thee，ne'er forgot.
My boast is not that I deduce my birth
From loins enthroned，and rulers of the earth；
But higher far my proud pretensions rise，—
The son of parents passed into the skies.
And now，farewell！Time，unrevoked，has run
His wonted course，yet what I wished is done.
By Contemplation's help，not sought in vain，
I seem to have lived my childhood o'er again；
To have renewed the joys that once were mine，
Without the sin of violating thine；
And，while the wings of Fancy still are free，
And I can view this mimic show of thee，
Time has but half succeeded in his theft，—
Thyself removed，thy power to soothe me left.
译文 TRANSLATION
威廉·考柏（1731—1800），是一位牧师之子，双亲都出身贵族。考柏生性文雅、腼腆；同学的粗鲁让他更加内向。考柏攻读法律，并考取了律师资格，却从未真正从业。三十岁时，他被任命为上议院书记官，但他却无法鼓起勇气履职任事。为此，他受到很大困扰以致他的精神濒临崩溃，并因试图自杀而不得不被送往一家私立精神病院。痊愈后，考柏寄居在牧师尤文先生家中。在与尤文一家的相处中，考柏找到了心灵的契合。在尤文先生去世后，考柏继续寄居其家——直到尤文夫人百年之后，考柏也相继离开了人世。在这期间，考柏和尤文一家主要生活在奥尔尼。考柏的第一批作品发表于1782年。他写过几首优美的赞美诗，《任务》及一些小诗。此外，他业已出版的作品还包括对荷马史诗的翻译和书信集。考柏的一生纯真、温雅；他喜爱动物以及单纯、自然的事物。他的精神失常不时发作，给他的暮年投下了一丝阴影。考柏六岁丧母，下面这首哀婉动人的小诗就是他多年以后为纪念逝去的母亲而作的。
哦，母亲，您温婉的话语，
多少年来再未倾聆。
当那一刻我知道您已离我而去，
您是否也感知到我默默流下的泪珠？
您的灵魂护佑着忧伤的我难舍难分，
我是多么稚弱，生命的旅程刚刚开始？
或许您一直吻我，而我却未曾体认；
而若蒙恩的众灵也会啜泣，
或许您总是为我流泪，而我却不知晓。
啊，您慈爱的微笑，告诉我，
您一直吻我，总是为我流泪。
听着葬礼上丧钟的低吟，
目送灵车载着您缓缓离去；
我从婴儿室的窗前转过身，
长长长长地叹息，终于哭着和您说“再见”。
只能如此吗？是的。在您那里，
从未听过“再见”和“永别”。
但愿与您重聚在那和平的彼岸，
离别的话语再不必说出。
您的侍女看到我焦虑的模样自己也伤心，
常常对我说您很快就回来；
我曾多么热切地为之祈祷，
好长时间里我都信以为真。
而后却是失望和又一次上当。
期待消磨了每一天，
尚在稚龄，却已被明天欺蒙。
多少悲伤的明天来了又去了，
直到我所有的哀伤耗尽，
直到我终于学会顺从命运；
可是，虽然减轻了悲伤，却从未将您忘怀。
我引以为傲的并不是我的门第
其实，我自豪的因由远比那高尚——
当时光走完它惯常的途程，
告别尘世时，我的祈盼亦已实现：
作为一个平凡人进入天堂。
借由沉思的帮助，
不做徒劳地求索，
恍惚间，我又回到了童年，
重拾往昔的欢乐，
却又不必担心打扰到您。
啊，当乘着幻想的彩翼，
看到您的影像，
时间只能盗去您的外在，
而您却将永远的慰藉留下。
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