His _Mistress, or, Love Verses_, and his other Anacreontics or paraphrases of Anacreon's odes, were eminently to the taste of the luxurious and immoral court of Charles II.

His _Davideis_ is an heroic poem on the troubles of King David.
His _Poem on the Late Civil War_, which was not published until 1679, twelve years after his death, is written in the interests of the monarchy.
His varied learning gave a wide range to his pen.

In 1661 appeared his _Proposition for the Advancement of Experimental Philosophy_, which was followed in the next year by _Two Books of Plants_, which he increased to six books afterward--devoting two to herbs, two to flowers, and two to trees.

If he does not appear in them to be profound in botanical researches, it was justly said by Dr.Johnson that in his mind "botany turned into poetry." His prose pen was as ready, versatile, and charming as his poetic pencil.
He produced discourses or essays on commonplace topics of general interest, such as _myself; the shortness of life; the uncertainty of riches; the danger of procrastination_, etc.

These are well written, in easy-flowing language, evincing his poetic nature, and many of them are more truly poetic than his metrical pieces.
HIS FAME .-- Cowley had all his good things in his lifetime; he was the most popular poet in England, and is the best illustration of the literary taste of his age.