“We may talk what we please,” he cries in his enthusiasm for the oldest of the arts, “of lilies, and lions rampant, and spread eagles, in fields d’or or d’argent; but, if heraldry were guided by reason, a plough in a field arable would be the most noble and ancient arms.” – Abraham Cowley, in Of Agriculture

Abraham Cowley was an English poet born in 1618.  There were 14 printings of his work were published.  Some might say that unabashed enthusiasm might be counted as a sin in the modern age.  If so, in this essay, Cowley would be an unrepentant sinner.  Other than that, I don’t know that I have a lot to say on why this particular charming poet’s essay was deemed important enough to be included in the Harvard Classics.

Abraham Cowley died July 28, 1667.  Due to this,  Of Agriculture is the subject of today’s study.

Of Agriculture an essay by Abraham Cowley may be read here:

http://www.bartleby.com/27/4.html

I was unable to find or record an audiobook version of this work.

In light of this and always attempting to give the very best with respect to the subjects touched on that reflect well on Western Civilization, I am providing the following link as a source to allow the ardent reader an opportunity to peruse Abraham Cowley’s other works:

http://www.luminarium.org/sevenlit/cowley/cowleybib.htm