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Poem
September 3, 1817
The Rhode Island Republican
Newport, Newport County, Rhode Island
What is this article about?
Humorous poem about Sir Thomas More sent by Henry VIII to deliver a threatening message to the French king, fearing beheading, with the king promising vengeance by beheading Frenchmen in retaliation.
Clipping
OCR Quality
88%
Good
Full Text
POETRY
For the R.I. Republican.
Sir Thomas M-- in Henry VIII's reign,
Was ordered--what by, by his master
To bear a message to the Gallic King;
A message that would knighthood stain,
Of foul abuse and threats of sore disaster.
Sir Thomas, wily as a fox
By royal mandate in a box--
Attempted to excuse this dangerous trip:
And humbly begg'd release--nay, thus he plead:
"Sire--I am afraid that he will whip
Off of my shoulders--smack, my head."
"Sir Thomas, should he, do the thing;
Mark me--the vengeance of thy King,
Shall soon o'ertake--
I will behead each Frenchman in my realm;
With fury I will overwhelm,
And for thy head a thousand is at stake."
"Ah! Sire, I do not doubt thy love:
Yet, there's another point to prove:
All this might not indemnify--
The loss of separation--'tween my head and I,
For I much doubt, since I so old am grown,
If any Frenchman's head, will at my shoulders
as my own.
For the R.I. Republican.
Sir Thomas M-- in Henry VIII's reign,
Was ordered--what by, by his master
To bear a message to the Gallic King;
A message that would knighthood stain,
Of foul abuse and threats of sore disaster.
Sir Thomas, wily as a fox
By royal mandate in a box--
Attempted to excuse this dangerous trip:
And humbly begg'd release--nay, thus he plead:
"Sire--I am afraid that he will whip
Off of my shoulders--smack, my head."
"Sir Thomas, should he, do the thing;
Mark me--the vengeance of thy King,
Shall soon o'ertake--
I will behead each Frenchman in my realm;
With fury I will overwhelm,
And for thy head a thousand is at stake."
"Ah! Sire, I do not doubt thy love:
Yet, there's another point to prove:
All this might not indemnify--
The loss of separation--'tween my head and I,
For I much doubt, since I so old am grown,
If any Frenchman's head, will at my shoulders
as my own.
What sub-type of article is it?
Satire
Ballad
What themes does it cover?
Political
Satire Society
What keywords are associated?
Sir Thomas More
Henry Viii
French King
Beheading
Royal Message
Humorous Satire
Poem Details
Subject
For The R.I. Republican
Form / Style
Rhymed Couplets
Key Lines
Sir Thomas, Wily As A Fox
By Royal Mandate In A Box
Attempted To Excuse This Dangerous Trip:
"Sire I Am Afraid That He Will Whip
Off Of My Shoulders Smack, My Head."
"Ah! Sire, I Do Not Doubt Thy Love:
Yet, There's Another Point To Prove:"