Abraham Cowley (1618–1667)

In all our comparisons of taste, I do not know whether I have ever heard your opinion of a poet very dear to me,--the now-out-of-fashion Cowley. Favor me with your judgment of him, and tell me if his prose essays, in particular, as well as no inconsiderable part of his verse, be not delicious. I prefer the graceful rambling of his essays even to the courtly elegance and ease of Addison, abstracting from this the latter's exquisite humor. --Lamb to Coleridge, 10 January 1797

'The Country Mouse', a poem by Abraham Cowley tells of a contented and happy mouse who lives a life of ease in the country. He is visited by a town mouse who while accepting his hospitality persuades him to leave and come with him to the town,where things are better by far. This they do and the town mouse showers his country cousin with rich food. When they are full and sluggish,servants and their dogs arrive and chase them. The country mouse wishes with all his heart that he was back in the show more peaceful country.
Cowley,who lived 1618-1667 contrasted the quiet of the country with the noise and bustle of the city,in many of his poems. This is possible the best known of these. show less

Essays by a distinguished playwright, poet and essayist of the times of the Civil War and the Restoration

From Letters of Samuel Johnson:

To Edmund Burke, Esq.
June 21, 1770

Dear Sir:

I promised a long time ago to lend you Cowley’s Latin Works. If you have not yet seen them, be pleased to accept of this copy which I bought at Oxford, and which is of the best edition. You may easily repay this little present by informing me that dear Mrs. Burke is better. I am, Sir, Your most humble Servant,

Sam. Johnson