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Poem
April 22, 1757
The Virginia Gazette
Richmond, Williamsburg, Richmond County, Virginia
What is this article about?
A satirical verse letter from a young lady to the Lords of the Admiralty, mocking the court martial's verdict on Admiral Byng for failing to engage the enemy, portraying it as neglect rather than cowardice, and pleading for mercy.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
On the REPRESENTATION.
To the Lords of the Admiralty.
(By a young Lady of Fifteen.)
My LORDS,
Is the humble Opinion of us the Court Martial
(A Court of all Courts, most surely impartial)
That Admiral Byng his utmost did not,
T'Engage. And adjudge him for that to be shot;
But to palliate his Crime, with Deference we shew,
In our Sentence, Distinctions quite subtle and new;
That 'twas prov'd he ne'er shew'd any Tokens of Fear,
(And how the Plague should he, So far in the Rear ?)
That clearly to us, he appears in this Light,
Not Coward, but only damn'd backward to fight
Or more clear to refine it, we've shewn in Effect,
To be backward in fighting, is but a Neglect.
And tho' we've condemn'd him, for Mercy we pray,
Lest his Case be our Case, as it certainly may.
To the Lords of the Admiralty.
(By a young Lady of Fifteen.)
My LORDS,
Is the humble Opinion of us the Court Martial
(A Court of all Courts, most surely impartial)
That Admiral Byng his utmost did not,
T'Engage. And adjudge him for that to be shot;
But to palliate his Crime, with Deference we shew,
In our Sentence, Distinctions quite subtle and new;
That 'twas prov'd he ne'er shew'd any Tokens of Fear,
(And how the Plague should he, So far in the Rear ?)
That clearly to us, he appears in this Light,
Not Coward, but only damn'd backward to fight
Or more clear to refine it, we've shewn in Effect,
To be backward in fighting, is but a Neglect.
And tho' we've condemn'd him, for Mercy we pray,
Lest his Case be our Case, as it certainly may.
What sub-type of article is it?
Satire
Verse Letter
What themes does it cover?
War Military
Political
What keywords are associated?
Admiral Byng
Court Martial
Admiralty
Satire
Neglect
Mercy
Engagement
What entities or persons were involved?
By A Young Lady Of Fifteen.
Poem Details
Title
On The Representation.
Author
By A Young Lady Of Fifteen.
Subject
To The Lords Of The Admiralty.
Form / Style
Rhymed Couplets
Key Lines
That Admiral Byng His Utmost Did Not, T'engage. And Adjudge Him For That To Be Shot;
Not Coward, But Only Damn'd Backward To Fight
To Be Backward In Fighting, Is But A Neglect.
Lest His Case Be Our Case, As It Certainly May.