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Poem
November 19, 1798
The Gazette
Portland, Cumberland County, Maine
What is this article about?
An ode satirizing the irresistible power of flattery, which deludes the elderly, heals the sick, and captivates all mortals despite their pretended disdain.
Clipping
OCR Quality
88%
Good
Full Text
POETRY.
ODE TO FLATTERY.
(From the last volume of Pindar's Works.)
WHEN Flattery sings, Age opes his eyes so clear,
And claps his beak, the trumpet to his ear,
So second rarely inspired he lists, and sees!
When Flatt'ry sings, pale Colic's pains are off;
Consumption pants not, but forgets his cough
And Asthma's laden lungs forbear to wheeze,
Stung is the owl with night's offspring evils?
Flatt'ry's a talisman to drive the devil.
Sweet on th' evening ear of silly Night,
As warbling dies the Philomela's song;
So on the ear of man, with rich delight
The lulling music flows from Flatt'ry's tongue.
Shew me the man, and I will thank thee for it,
Who says, with truth, "Poh! Flatt'ry! I abhor it."
'Tis a nondescript—by Sir Joseph bred—
A Soho member, born without a head.
Flatt'ry's a perfect mistress of her art;
With picklock keys to open ev'ry heart.
What mortal can withstand the fire of Flatt'ry?
No one! 'tis such a most successful battery,
No head, however thick, resists its shock;
Yet each pretends to mock it!—what a lot!
ODE TO FLATTERY.
(From the last volume of Pindar's Works.)
WHEN Flattery sings, Age opes his eyes so clear,
And claps his beak, the trumpet to his ear,
So second rarely inspired he lists, and sees!
When Flatt'ry sings, pale Colic's pains are off;
Consumption pants not, but forgets his cough
And Asthma's laden lungs forbear to wheeze,
Stung is the owl with night's offspring evils?
Flatt'ry's a talisman to drive the devil.
Sweet on th' evening ear of silly Night,
As warbling dies the Philomela's song;
So on the ear of man, with rich delight
The lulling music flows from Flatt'ry's tongue.
Shew me the man, and I will thank thee for it,
Who says, with truth, "Poh! Flatt'ry! I abhor it."
'Tis a nondescript—by Sir Joseph bred—
A Soho member, born without a head.
Flatt'ry's a perfect mistress of her art;
With picklock keys to open ev'ry heart.
What mortal can withstand the fire of Flatt'ry?
No one! 'tis such a most successful battery,
No head, however thick, resists its shock;
Yet each pretends to mock it!—what a lot!
What sub-type of article is it?
Ode
Satire
What themes does it cover?
Satire Society
Moral Virtue
What keywords are associated?
Flattery
Satire
Ode
Deception
Social Folly
What entities or persons were involved?
(From The Last Volume Of Pindar's Works.)
Poem Details
Title
Ode To Flattery.
Author
(From The Last Volume Of Pindar's Works.)
Form / Style
Rhymed Couplets
Key Lines
When Flattery Sings, Age Opes His Eyes So Clear,
And Claps His Beak, The Trumpet To His Ear,
What Mortal Can Withstand The Fire Of Flatt'ry?
No One! 'Tis Such A Most Successful Battery,
Yet Each Pretends To Mock It!—What A Lot!