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Poem
June 17, 1808
The Enquirer
Richmond, Henrico County, Virginia
What is this article about?
A satirical Pindaric ode addressed to J. R.-M. C. (likely John), mocking his verbose speaking, political rants against 'back stairs influence' and 'water closet pages,' and contrasting his unpopularity with admired politicians like Russells, Garnetts, Clays, and Clarks, predicting his downfall. Signed Sedley.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
FOR THE ENQUIRER.
PINDARIC ODES.
ODE VIII.
TO J. R.-M. C.
Thou art a pretty little speaker, John,
Tho' some there are who think you've spoke too long;
And even call: sweet sir, your tongue a bell,
That ding dong, dong ding; tolls away!
Yet mind not what such "Ragamuffins" say.
Roar still 'gainst "back stairs influence" I pray
And lash the "pages of the water closet" well;
To "dust and ashes" pry'thee grind-em,
Altho' I'm told, twould puzzle me to find-em!
But John, like water, thou must find thy- "level,"
Those horn-book politicians are the devil:
Some how or other, they've so pleased the nation;
For spite of "cobweb theories" and "sharks,"
Russells, Garnetts, Clays, and Clarks,
"Straight jackets," "water gruel" and "depletion;"
Yes, yes, in spite of all those curious things,
The name of each, with glory round us rings:
Whilst thou, of even patriotism doubted,
Ar't on all hands, detested—laughed at—"scouted!"
Nay, many think, (tho' this perhaps is scandal,)
That soon you'll nothing be, but plan Jack Randall.
SEDLEY.
PINDARIC ODES.
ODE VIII.
TO J. R.-M. C.
Thou art a pretty little speaker, John,
Tho' some there are who think you've spoke too long;
And even call: sweet sir, your tongue a bell,
That ding dong, dong ding; tolls away!
Yet mind not what such "Ragamuffins" say.
Roar still 'gainst "back stairs influence" I pray
And lash the "pages of the water closet" well;
To "dust and ashes" pry'thee grind-em,
Altho' I'm told, twould puzzle me to find-em!
But John, like water, thou must find thy- "level,"
Those horn-book politicians are the devil:
Some how or other, they've so pleased the nation;
For spite of "cobweb theories" and "sharks,"
Russells, Garnetts, Clays, and Clarks,
"Straight jackets," "water gruel" and "depletion;"
Yes, yes, in spite of all those curious things,
The name of each, with glory round us rings:
Whilst thou, of even patriotism doubted,
Ar't on all hands, detested—laughed at—"scouted!"
Nay, many think, (tho' this perhaps is scandal,)
That soon you'll nothing be, but plan Jack Randall.
SEDLEY.
What sub-type of article is it?
Ode
Satire
What themes does it cover?
Political
Satire Society
What keywords are associated?
Pindaric Ode
Satire John
Back Stairs Influence
Political Mockery
Russells Garnetts
Jack Randall
What entities or persons were involved?
Sedley.
Poem Details
Title
Ode Viii. To J. R. M. C.
Author
Sedley.
Subject
Satire On J. R. M. C. And Political Figures
Form / Style
Pindaric Ode
Key Lines
Thou Art A Pretty Little Speaker, John,
Tho' Some There Are Who Think You've Spoke Too Long;
Roar Still 'Gainst "Back Stairs Influence" I Pray
And Lash The "Pages Of The Water Closet" Well;
Russells, Garnetts, Clays, And Clarks,