First editions of both separately-published volumes, together comprising Cowper's "Works", the Poems in the issue without preface as more usual: ESTC (T14895) notes that the preface by John Newton (Cowper's collaborator on Olney Hymns) printed to accompany this edition was suppressed on publication.

First editions of both separately-published volumes, together comprising Cowper's "Works", the Poems in the issue without preface as more usual: ESTC (T14895) notes that the preface by John Newton (Cowper's collaborator on Olney Hymns) printed to accompany this edition was suppressed on publication.

Poems was quietly received, "the acuter critics alone perceived the frequent force of his writing, his quiet humour, and his fine touches of criticism" (ODNB). The Task was an immediate success, making him the foremost English poet of the day. "In 'The Task', his playfulness, his exquisite appreciation of simple natural beauties, and his fine moral perceptions found full expression" (ODNB).