The Poetical Works of William Lisle Bowles, Vol. 2

"The Poetical Works of William Lisle Bowles, Vol. 2" by William Lisle Bowles is a compilation of poems from the 1800s, accompanied by memoirs and critiques that examine the author's influence on poetry. The collection explores nature, sadness, and life experiences, all mixed with thoughts about spirituality and right from wrong. The book starts by looking at poetry's past and present, highlighting the changes in poetic styles between the 1700s and 1800s and the author's musings explore life's quick moments, time passing, and the poetic value of the beauty in nature. Bowles recalls parts of his youth while observing history, and contemplating mortality. There's a strong sense of longing for the past and a moral decline in society setting a tone for Bowles' poems.