Page "William Lisle Bowles" Paragraph 2

The Sonnets even in form were a revival, a return to an older and purer poetic style, and by their grace of expression, melodious versification, tender tone of feeling and vivid appreciation of the life and beauty of nature, stood out in strong contrast to the elaborated commonplaces which at that time formed the bulk of English poetry.

After taking his degree at Oxford, Bowles entered the church, and was appointed in 1792 as vicar of Chicklade in Wiltshire.

In 1797 he received the vicarage of Dumbleton in Gloucestershire, and in 1804 became vicar of Bremhill in Wiltshire, where he wrote the poem seen on Maud Heath's statue.

In the same year he was collated by Bishop Douglas to a prebendal stall in Salisbury Cathedral.

In 1818 he was made chaplain to the Prince Regent, and in 1828 he was elected residentiary canon of Salisbury.