Thank you for visiting SNEWPapers!
Sign up free
Poem
November 5, 1791
The Kentucky Gazette
Lexington, Fayette County, Kentucky
What is this article about?
Satirical poem about a Christian and a Jew on the gallows. The Jew receives a pardon but remains to claim the dead man's clothes, highlighting thriftiness in a humorous, stereotypical manner.
Clipping
OCR Quality
85%
Good
Full Text
SACRED TO THE
MUSES
JEWISH ECONOMY.
Two, a Christian and a Jew,
Who'd been to honest feelings rather callous,
Were on a platform once exposed to view,
Or come, as some folks call it, to the gallows.
As of late, as quainter phrase prevails,
To try their weight upon the city scales.
In dreadful form, the constable and sheriff,
The priest, and ordinary, and crowd, attended,
Till filled the roof, and all had taken leave,
When the poor Israelite, befriended,
Heard, by express from officer of state,
A gracious pardon quite reverse his fate.
Unmoved he seemed, and to the spot close sticking,
Ne'er offers, though he's bid, to quit the place,
Till in the air the other fellow kicking,
The sheriff thought that some peculiar grace,
Some Hebrew form of silent deep devotion,
Hid for a while deprived him of his motion.
He being questioned, by the sheriff's orders,
Why not with proper officer retiring,
In tone of voice that on the marvelous borders,
While that his looks were to the beam aspiring,
"I only wait," said he, "before I go.
O'er Mister Catch to pay the dead man's clothes."
MUSES
JEWISH ECONOMY.
Two, a Christian and a Jew,
Who'd been to honest feelings rather callous,
Were on a platform once exposed to view,
Or come, as some folks call it, to the gallows.
As of late, as quainter phrase prevails,
To try their weight upon the city scales.
In dreadful form, the constable and sheriff,
The priest, and ordinary, and crowd, attended,
Till filled the roof, and all had taken leave,
When the poor Israelite, befriended,
Heard, by express from officer of state,
A gracious pardon quite reverse his fate.
Unmoved he seemed, and to the spot close sticking,
Ne'er offers, though he's bid, to quit the place,
Till in the air the other fellow kicking,
The sheriff thought that some peculiar grace,
Some Hebrew form of silent deep devotion,
Hid for a while deprived him of his motion.
He being questioned, by the sheriff's orders,
Why not with proper officer retiring,
In tone of voice that on the marvelous borders,
While that his looks were to the beam aspiring,
"I only wait," said he, "before I go.
O'er Mister Catch to pay the dead man's clothes."
What sub-type of article is it?
Satire
Ballad
What themes does it cover?
Satire Society
What keywords are associated?
Jewish Economy
Gallows
Pardon
Thriftiness
Satire
Execution
Poem Details
Title
Jewish Economy.
Form / Style
Rhymed Couplets
Key Lines
"I Only Wait," Said He, "Before I Go.
"O'er Mister Catch To Pay The Dead Man's Clothes."