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Poem
March 27, 1790
Gazette Of The United States
New York, New York County, New York
What is this article about?
A satirical fable in verse where Hodge complains to Janus about neighbors' animals breaking his fence, leading to a reflection on how people accept taxes on others but protest their own, critiquing political hypocrisy.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
FOR THE GAZETTE OF THE UNITED STATES.
FABLE.
WHEN honest HODGE to JANUS came,
His neighbor's Hogs and Sheep to blame;
Who, tho his fence was good and sound,
Found means to break into his ground;
Janus, with sapient nod and speech,
Declar'd that Law could mend the breach;
That plain as nose on human face,
Great damages were in the case
Quoth Hodge, I'm glad your thoughts are mine,
Yours are the breachy Sheep and Swine—
Hold! cries the lawyer in a fright!
If so—the case is alt’r’d quite.
Thus in political affairs,
Each mortal for the Public cares—
Taxes on taxes may be laid,
If only by our neighbors paid.
But tax my own peculiar calling,
Lord! what a raving, rout and bawling—
You'd think the very State was falling.
FABLE.
WHEN honest HODGE to JANUS came,
His neighbor's Hogs and Sheep to blame;
Who, tho his fence was good and sound,
Found means to break into his ground;
Janus, with sapient nod and speech,
Declar'd that Law could mend the breach;
That plain as nose on human face,
Great damages were in the case
Quoth Hodge, I'm glad your thoughts are mine,
Yours are the breachy Sheep and Swine—
Hold! cries the lawyer in a fright!
If so—the case is alt’r’d quite.
Thus in political affairs,
Each mortal for the Public cares—
Taxes on taxes may be laid,
If only by our neighbors paid.
But tax my own peculiar calling,
Lord! what a raving, rout and bawling—
You'd think the very State was falling.
What sub-type of article is it?
Satire
What themes does it cover?
Political
Taxation Tyranny
Satire Society
What keywords are associated?
Fable
Janus
Hodge
Taxes
Politics
Hypocrisy
Satire
Poem Details
Title
Fable.
Form / Style
Rhymed Couplets
Key Lines
Quoth Hodge, I'm Glad Your Thoughts Are Mine,
Yours Are The Breachy Sheep And Swine—
Taxes On Taxes May Be Laid,
If Only By Our Neighbors Paid.
But Tax My Own Peculiar Calling,
Lord! What A Raving, Rout And Bawling—
You'd Think The Very State Was Falling.