Cowley is said also to have written during three
years at Cambridge the greater part of his heroic poem on the
history of David, the "Davideis." One of the occasional poems
written at this time by Cowley was on the early and sudden death of
his most intimate friend at the University, William Hervey, to whom
he was dearer than all but his brothers and sisters, and, says
Cowley:
"Even in that we did agree,
For much above myself I loved them too."
Hervey and Cowley had walked daily together, and had spent nights in
joint study of philosophy and poetry. Hervey "had all the light of
youth, of the fire none."
"With as much zeal, devotion, piety,
He always lived as other saints do die.
Still with his soul severe account he kept,
Weeping all debts out ere he slept;
Then down in peace and innocence he lay,
Like the sun's laborious light,
Which still in water sets at night,
Unsullied with the journey of the day."
Cowley's friendship with this family affected the course of his
life. He received many kindnesses from his friend's brother John
Hervey, including introduction to Henry Jermyn, one of the most
trusted friends of Queen Henrietta Maria, the friend who was created
by her wish Baron Jermyn of St.
Pages:
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28