The Account, p

Margarita first possest, If I remember well, my brest, Margarita first of all;

But when a while the wanton Maid

With my restless Heart had plaid, Martha took the flying Ball (st. 1).

Martha soon did it resign

To the beauteous Catharine.

Beauteous Catharine gave place (Though loth and angry she to part With the possession of my Heart)

To Elisa’s conqu’ering face (st. 2).

Elisa till this Hour might reign Had she not Evil Counsels ta’ne.

Fundamental Laws she broke, And still new Favorites she chose, Till up in Arms my Passions rose, And cast away her Yoke (st. 3).

Mary then and gentle Ann Both to reign at once began.

Alternately they sway’d,

And sometimes Mary was the Fair,

And sometimes Ann the Crown did wear, And sometimes Both l’obey’a (st. 4).

But should I now to you relate, The strength ‘and riches of their state, The Powder, Patches and the Pins,

The Ribbans, Jewels, and the Rings,

The Lace, the Paint, and warlike things That make up all their Magazins (st. 11);

If I should tell the politick Arts To take and keep mens hearts, The Letters, Embassies and Spies,

The Frowns, and Smiles, and Flatteries,

The Quarrels, Tears, and Perjuries, Numberless, Nameless Mysteries ! (st. 12).

And all the Little Lime-twigs laid By Matchavil the Waiting-Maid'; I more voluminous should grow

(Chiefly if I like them should tell Al Change of Weathers that befell) Then Holinshed of Siow (st. 13).

But I will briefer with them be, Since few of them were long with Me.

An higher and a nobler strain

My present Emperess does claim,

Heleonora, First o’th'name, Whom God grant long to reign ! (st. 14).

Comme nous voici loin de la grave lourdeur de la Davidéide, du sublime pénible des Odes pindariques, des éclairs factices de The Mistress! Sans doute, ici encore, Cowley se laisse guider par la mode. Mais cette fois, il ne se trompe pas. Il trouve les sujets et l’atmosphère qui lui conviennent, et il s’y épanouit librement.

Par leur enjouement et leur légèreté discrète, ces odes se détachent de la masse, toujours tourmentée et alourdie d’intentions, de son œuvre. Elles constituent une de ses plus parfaites réussites, et, si l’on peut dire, l’équivalent poétique de ses Essais.