Project Gutenberg 2003-01-01 Public domain in the USA. 1679 Cowper, William 1731 1800 The Task, and Other Poems Wikipedia page about this book: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Task_(poem) The Task -- The Diverting History of John Gilpin -- An Epistle to Joseph Hill, Esq. -- To Mary. This eBook was produced by Les Bowler, St. Ives, Dorset "The Task and Other Poems" by William Cowper is a collection of poetry written in the late 18th century. It encompasses a range of themes, with "The Task," a significant component of the collection, being a lengthy didactic poem that reflects on nature, domesticity, and the human condition. The opening book focuses specifically on the humble yet integral piece of furniture, the sofa, serving as a springboard for deeper musings on life, health, and the comforts of home. At the start of "The Task," Cowper introduces a mix of personal reflection and societal commentary, commencing with an ode to the sofa as a symbol of rest and comfort. He contrasts various forms of seating and discusses their evolution while interspersing his own love for nature, detailing serene walks and rural beauty. The poet's nostalgia for the freedom of youth and his appreciation for the simple pleasures of life set the tone for the poem. This reflective lens expands into broader observations about human life, connection to nature, and the pursuit of true happiness, weaving through Cowper's contemplations on the vanities of society and the cultivation of virtue. (This is an automatically generated summary.) Reading ease score: 70.2 (7th grade). Fairly easy to read. en English poetry -- 18th century PR Text Category: Poetry Category: British Literature 304959 2025-08-02T08:42:26.071394 text/html 312340 2015-03-29T04:45:08 text/html 684195 2025-08-02T08:42:32.937307 application/epub+zip 685649 2025-08-02T08:42:27.127357 application/epub+zip 167827 2025-08-02T08:42:26.566398 application/epub+zip 795147 2025-08-02T08:42:36.202307 application/x-mobipocket-ebook 765943 2025-08-02T08:42:31.916331 application/x-mobipocket-ebook 249438 2022-09-02T11:18:37.386453 application/x-mobipocket-ebook 279115 2025-08-02T08:42:25.090356 text/plain; charset=us-ascii 286663 2015-03-29T04:44:51 text/plain; charset=us-ascii 278935 2021-01-08T22:43:28 text/plain; charset=us-ascii 20083 2025-08-02T08:42:36.426293 application/rdf+xml 25956 2025-08-02T08:42:26.682338 image/jpeg 3827 2025-08-02T08:42:26.626343 image/jpeg 115048 2021-01-08T22:43:28 application/octet-stream application/zip 684193 2021-01-08T22:43:28 application/octet-stream application/zip 113924 2021-01-08T22:43:28 application/octet-stream application/zip 687726 2025-08-02T08:42:26.111375 application/octet-stream application/zip Archives containing the RDF files for *all* our books can be downloaded at https://book.klll.cc/wiki/Gutenberg:Feeds#The_Complete_Project_Gutenberg_Catalog en.wikipedia