powers of language, but of comprehension of things, as to more tardy
minds seems scarcely credible. But of the learned puerilities of
Cowley there is no doubt, since a volume of his poems was not only
written, but printed in his thirteenth year; containing, with other
poetical compositions, "The tragical History of Pyramus and Thisbe,"
written when he was ten years old; and "Constantia and Philetus,"
written two years after.

While he was yet at school he produced a comedy called "Love's
Riddle," though it was not published till he had been some time at
Cambridge. This comedy is of the pastoral kind, which requires no
acquaintance with the living world, and therefore the time at which
it was composed adds little to the wonders of Cowley's minority.

In 1636 he was removed to Cambridge, where he continued his studies
with great intenseness; for he is said to have written, while he was
yet a young student, the greater part of his "Davideis;" a work of
which the materials could not have been collected without the study
of many years, but by a mind of the greatest vigour and activity.

Two years after his settlement at Cambridge, he published "Love's
Riddle," with a poetical dedication to Sir Kenelm Digby, of whose
acquaintance all his contemporaries seem to have been ambitious; and
"Naufragium Joculare," a comedy written in Latin, but without due
attention to the ancient models; for it is not loose verse, but mere
prose. It was printed, with a dedication in verse to Dr. Comber,
master of the college; but having neither the facility of a popular,
nor the accuracy of a learned work, it seems to be now universally
neglected.