Abraham Cowley was one of the most popular English poets of his time. `He must always,' said Dryden, `be thought a great poet.' His work was held in high esteem by Milton, Johnson (who wrote one of the greatest of his Lives about him), Pope and Wordsworth, (1618-67) was one of the most popular English poets of his time. `He must always,' said Dryden, `be thought a great poet.' His work was held in high esteem by Milton, Johnson (who wrote one of the greatest of his Lives about him), Pope and Wordsworth,