How does Johnson compare Cowley and Milton as poets Samuel Johnson - compares Abraham Cowley - and John Milton - as two great poets of their time Both wrote Latin poetry and were skilled but their styles and principles differed Johnson highlights their strengths and weaknesses He also shows how Cowley s wit and learning contrasted with Milton s grandeur and discipline Latin Poetry Skills Johnson notes that both Cowley and Milton excelled in Latin poetry Cowley adapted Roman diction to his ideas Milton however stuck closely to ancient language and thoughts Johnson believes Cowley s approach was more original while Milton s was more traditional Both were talented but Cowley s creativity stood out Style and Themes Cowley s poetry was full of wit and clever ideas often complex Milton s work was more serious and grand They focused on deep themes like religion and morality Johnson says Cowley