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Poem
January 20, 1776
The Virginia Gazette
Richmond, Williamsburg, Richmond County, Virginia
What is this article about?
A satirical poem contrasting the foppish modern English lord with historical peers who defended liberty at Runnymede against King John.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
THE MODERN COURTIER.
PRAY say what's that, which smirking trips this way?
That powder'd thing, so neat, so trim, so gay?
Adorn'd with tambour'd vest and spangled sword,
That supple servile thing?—O that's a Lord!
You jest—that thing a Peer?—An English Peer?
Who ought (with head, estate, and conscience clear)
Either in grave debate, or hardy fight,
Firmly maintain a free-born people's right.
Surely those Lords were of another breed,
Who met their monarch JOHN at RUNNYMEDE;
And clad in steel, there in a glorious hour,
Made the curb'd tyrant feel the people's power;
Made him confess, beneath that awful rod,
Their voice united is the voice of God.
PRAY say what's that, which smirking trips this way?
That powder'd thing, so neat, so trim, so gay?
Adorn'd with tambour'd vest and spangled sword,
That supple servile thing?—O that's a Lord!
You jest—that thing a Peer?—An English Peer?
Who ought (with head, estate, and conscience clear)
Either in grave debate, or hardy fight,
Firmly maintain a free-born people's right.
Surely those Lords were of another breed,
Who met their monarch JOHN at RUNNYMEDE;
And clad in steel, there in a glorious hour,
Made the curb'd tyrant feel the people's power;
Made him confess, beneath that awful rod,
Their voice united is the voice of God.
What sub-type of article is it?
Satire
Epigram
What themes does it cover?
Political
Liberty Independence
Satire Society
What keywords are associated?
Modern Courtier
English Peer
Runnymede
King John
Liberty
Satire
People's Right
Poem Details
Title
The Modern Courtier.
Subject
Satire On Modern Courtiers And Historical Peers At Runnymede
Form / Style
Rhymed Couplets
Key Lines
Pray Say What's That, Which Smirking Trips This Way?
That Powder'd Thing, So Neat, So Trim, So Gay?
Adorn'd With Tambour'd Vest And Spangled Sword,
That Supple Servile Thing?—O That's A Lord!
Surely Those Lords Were Of Another Breed,
Who Met Their Monarch John At Runnymede;
And Clad In Steel, There In A Glorious Hour,
Made The Curb'd Tyrant Feel The People's Power;