The Task, and Other Poems
The Task, published in 1785, is William Cowper's long poem in blank verse, begun when his friend Lady Austen suggested that he write about the sofa. From that playful start it grows, over six books, into a meditation on country life, nature, religion and society, moving through the timepiece, the garden, the winter evening, the winter morning walk and the winter walk at noon. Cowper praises retirement and simple pleasures at Olney, attacks luxury, slavery and the cruelties of the world, and paints the English countryside with a new closeness. This edition, with an introduction on the poem's origins, adds the comic ballad of John Gilpin, an epistle to Joseph Hill and the lines "To Mary." The full text is available to read online in your browser on Vinteuil, and the first book is free.
Start reading right away, without signing up. The complete text is included in Vinteuil Reading, or yours forever with a one-time purchase.
Frequently asked questions about The Task, and Other Poems
The Task, and Other Poems by William Cowper can be read online on Vinteuil, directly in your browser. The first chapter is free for everyone; the complete book is included in Vinteuil Reading ($4.99/month or $39.99/year) or yours forever for $2.99.
Can I read The Task, and Other Poems online?
Yes. The Task, and Other Poems opens right on this page, in a reader designed for long reading: adjustable text size, light, sepia and dark themes, a clickable table of contents and your place saved when you are signed in. No download or app is needed.
Is The Task, and Other Poems free to read on Vinteuil?
The first chapter of The Task, and Other Poems is free, without an account. To read the whole book, either buy its online reading for $2.99 (£2.99 in the UK) and keep it forever, or subscribe to Vinteuil Reading for $4.99/month (£4.99/month in the UK) or $39.99/year, with 1 month free for new subscribers. The subscription opens every book in the library and can be cancelled at any time.
Is The Task, and Other Poems in the public domain?
Yes. The Task, and Other Poems by William Cowper is a public-domain work. Vinteuil offers a carefully prepared digital edition made for comfortable reading on screen.
How long does it take to read The Task, and Other Poems?
About 2 h 49 min of reading, at an average reading pace. Your place is saved automatically when you are signed in, so you can read in several sittings and on several devices.
What kind of book is The Task, and Other Poems?
The Task, and Other Poems by William Cowper is filed under "Poetry" in the Vinteuil library.
