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Poem
August 28, 1802
Rhode Island Republican
Newport, Newport County, Rhode Island
What is this article about?
Satirical poem by Francis Hopkinson, Esq., titled 'THE WASP,' depicting a pompous infant wasp as a self-important critic who awakens, boasts of his stinging satire, flies to a city steeple, and fails to damage it despite attacks, ultimately falling humbled. Applied by the publisher to the rival newspaper 'The Wasp' issued from 'The Balance' office in Hudson, opposing 'The Bee.'
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
The following is extracted from the work of Francis Hopkinson, Esq. We think it applies well to "The Wasp," which is issued from the office of "The Balance" in Hudson, in opposition to "The Bee."
THE WASP.
WRAPT in Arcadian filth and slime
An infant wasp neglected lay;
Till having doz'd the destined time
He 'woke and struggled into day.
Proud of his venom bag and sting,
And big with self-approving worth;
Mankind he said, and stretched his wing,
Should tremble when I sally forth.
In copious streams my spleen shall flow,
And satire all her stores drain;
A critic born--the world shall know
I carry not a sting in vain.
This said, from native cell of clay,
Elate he rose in airy flight;
Hence to the city changed his way,
And on a steeple chanced to light.
Ye Gods, he cried, what horrid pile
Presumes to rear its head so high;
This clumsy-cornice, see how vile:
Can this delight a critic's eye?
With poisonous sting he strove to wound
The substance firm, but strove in vain;
Surprised, he sees it stands its ground,
Nor starts thro' fear, nor writhes with pain.
Away th' enraged insect flew;
But soon with aggravated power
Against the walls his body threw,
And hoped to make the lofty tower.
Firm fixed it stands; as stand it must,
Nor heeds the Wasp's unpitied fall;
The humbled critic rolls in dust,
So stunned, so bruised, he scarce can crawl.
THE WASP.
WRAPT in Arcadian filth and slime
An infant wasp neglected lay;
Till having doz'd the destined time
He 'woke and struggled into day.
Proud of his venom bag and sting,
And big with self-approving worth;
Mankind he said, and stretched his wing,
Should tremble when I sally forth.
In copious streams my spleen shall flow,
And satire all her stores drain;
A critic born--the world shall know
I carry not a sting in vain.
This said, from native cell of clay,
Elate he rose in airy flight;
Hence to the city changed his way,
And on a steeple chanced to light.
Ye Gods, he cried, what horrid pile
Presumes to rear its head so high;
This clumsy-cornice, see how vile:
Can this delight a critic's eye?
With poisonous sting he strove to wound
The substance firm, but strove in vain;
Surprised, he sees it stands its ground,
Nor starts thro' fear, nor writhes with pain.
Away th' enraged insect flew;
But soon with aggravated power
Against the walls his body threw,
And hoped to make the lofty tower.
Firm fixed it stands; as stand it must,
Nor heeds the Wasp's unpitied fall;
The humbled critic rolls in dust,
So stunned, so bruised, he scarce can crawl.
What sub-type of article is it?
Satire
Epigram
What themes does it cover?
Satire Society
Political
What keywords are associated?
Wasp Satire
Critic Folly
Newspaper Rivalry
Hudson Balance
Bee Opposition
What entities or persons were involved?
Francis Hopkinson, Esq.
Poem Details
Title
The Wasp.
Author
Francis Hopkinson, Esq.
Subject
Applies To "The Wasp," Issued From The Office Of "The Balance" In Hudson, In Opposition To "The Bee."
Form / Style
Rhymed Couplets
Key Lines
Proud Of His Venom Bag And Sting,
And Big With Self Approving Worth;
Mankind He Said, And Stretched His Wing,
Should Tremble When I Sally Forth.
In Copious Streams My Spleen Shall Flow,
And Satire All Her Stores Drain;
A Critic Born The World Shall Know
I Carry Not A Sting In Vain.
The Humbled Critic Rolls In Dust,
So Stunned, So Bruised, He Scarce Can Crawl.