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Poem
July 1, 1785
Fowle's New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser
Portsmouth, Rockingham County, New Hampshire
What is this article about?
A sailor aboard the ship Tartar recites a humorous poem pleading for pardon before flogging with the cat o'nine tails; the officer forgives him, and he rises to boatswain in the British navy.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
A sailor on board the ship Tartar, having been enticed to the cat o'nine tails, when he was tied ready for punishment, spoke the following lines to his commander.
Of your justice to all the ship's crew;
By our honour's command,
I am hamper'd and tripp'd;
And if I am whipp'd,
'Tis no more than I own is my due.
In this scurvy condition,
I humbly petition,
To offer some lines to your eye?
Merry Tom, by such trash
Once avoided the lash,
And if fate and you please, so may I.
There is nothing you hate;
I'm inform'd, like a cat;
Why! your honor's aversion is mine:
If puffs then with one tail
Can so make your heart fail,
O! save me from that which has nine.
It ought to be added, in justice to the officer, that this sailor was pardoned, and is now boatswain in one of the chief ships of the British navy.
Of your justice to all the ship's crew;
By our honour's command,
I am hamper'd and tripp'd;
And if I am whipp'd,
'Tis no more than I own is my due.
In this scurvy condition,
I humbly petition,
To offer some lines to your eye?
Merry Tom, by such trash
Once avoided the lash,
And if fate and you please, so may I.
There is nothing you hate;
I'm inform'd, like a cat;
Why! your honor's aversion is mine:
If puffs then with one tail
Can so make your heart fail,
O! save me from that which has nine.
It ought to be added, in justice to the officer, that this sailor was pardoned, and is now boatswain in one of the chief ships of the British navy.
What sub-type of article is it?
Epigram
Satire
What themes does it cover?
War Military
Satire Society
What keywords are associated?
Sailor Plea
Cat O Nine Tails
Naval Punishment
British Navy
Mercy Petition
Poem Details
Subject
Plea To Avoid Cat O'nine Tails Punishment On Ship Tartar
Form / Style
Rhymed Stanzas
Key Lines
Of Your Justice To All The Ship's Crew;
Merry Tom, By Such Trash
Once Avoided The Lash,
If Puffs Then With One Tail
Can So Make Your Heart Fail,
O! Save Me From That Which Has Nine.