William Cowper （b. 1731,d. 1800） was the son of an English clergyman,and was born in Great Berkhamstead,Hertfordshire,England. He was sent tWestminster School when he was ten years of age,and he remained there,a diligent student,eight years. He then studied law,and was admitted tthe bar,but he never practiced his profession. He was appointed ta clerkship in the House of Lords when he was about thirty years old,but he never entered upon the discharge of his duties. He became insane,and was sent ta private asylum. After his recovery,he found a home in the family of the Rev. Mr. Unwin. On the death of this gentleman,he resided with the widow till her death-most of the time at Olney. His first writing‘s were published in 1782. "The Task," some hymns,a number of minor poems,and his translations or Homer,composed his published works. His insanity returned at times,and darkened a pure and gentle life at its close.
1.Between Nose and Eyes a strange contest arose;The spectacles set them,unhappily,wrong;The point in dispute was,as all the world knows,Twhich the said spectacles ought tbelong.
2.STongue was the lawyer,and argued1 the cause,With a great deal of skill and a wig full of learning,While chief baron Ear sat tbalance the laws,Sfamed for his talent in nicely discerning.21Argued,discussed,treated by reasoning.2Discerning,marking as different,distinguishing.
3."In behalf1 of the Nose,it will quickly appear,And your lordship," he said,"will undoubtedly find,That the Nose has the spectacles always twear,Which amounts tpossession,time out of mind."
4.Then,holding the spectacles up tthe court,"Your lordship obser ves,they are made with a straddleAs wide as the ridge of the Nose is;in short,Designed tsit close tit,just like a saddle.
5."Again,would your lordship a moment suppose（’T is a case that has happened,and may happen again）That the visage or countenance had not a Nose,Pray,whwould or whcould wear spectacles then?
6."On the whole it appears,and my argument shows,With a reasoning the court will never condemn,That the spectacles plainly were made for the Nose,And the Nose was as plainly intended for them."
7.Then shifting his side （as a lawyer knows how）,He pleaded again in behalf of the Eyes:But what were his arguments,few people know,For the court did not think them equally wise.
8.Shis lordship decreed2,with a grave,solemn tone,Decisive and clear,without one if or but,That whenever the Nose put his spectacles on,By daylight or candlelight,-Eyes should be shut.1Behalf,support,defense.2Decreed,determined judicially by authority,ordered.