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Poem
May 13, 1775
The Virginia Gazette
Richmond, Williamsburg, Richmond County, Virginia
What is this article about?
A satirical verse recounting a witty exchange in France between a Cardinal and the Marquis of Conflans, where the Cardinal jests about Conflans's kinsman holding his train, and Conflans retorts preferring lowly guards over such an arrogant devil.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
POET'S CORNER.
The DEVIL's TAIL.
A Bon Mot of the Marquis of CONFLANS.
CARDINAL one day returning from Court,
Seem'd to wish on Conflans for to make a retort;
There's nothing in France of so common a date,
Says he, my dear Count, as the poor and the great;
And to prove my assertion both common and plain,
I've a kinsman of yours, faith to hold up my train.
Conflans made reply—Sir, I pity the man,
But indeed I've resolv'd on a much better plan;
The red or blue guards, tho' of vilest degree,
Have open'd a certain asylum for me;
And I'd rather be starv'd and o'er-run with each evil,
Than take by the tail such an arrogant devil.
The DEVIL's TAIL.
A Bon Mot of the Marquis of CONFLANS.
CARDINAL one day returning from Court,
Seem'd to wish on Conflans for to make a retort;
There's nothing in France of so common a date,
Says he, my dear Count, as the poor and the great;
And to prove my assertion both common and plain,
I've a kinsman of yours, faith to hold up my train.
Conflans made reply—Sir, I pity the man,
But indeed I've resolv'd on a much better plan;
The red or blue guards, tho' of vilest degree,
Have open'd a certain asylum for me;
And I'd rather be starv'd and o'er-run with each evil,
Than take by the tail such an arrogant devil.
What sub-type of article is it?
Epigram
Satire
What themes does it cover?
Satire Society
What keywords are associated?
Devil's Tail
Marquis Conflans
Cardinal Retort
French Nobility
Witty Exchange
What entities or persons were involved?
A Bon Mot Of The Marquis Of Conflans.
Poem Details
Title
The Devil's Tail.
Author
A Bon Mot Of The Marquis Of Conflans.
Subject
Witty Retort By The Marquis Of Conflans To A Cardinal
Form / Style
Rhymed Couplets
Key Lines
And I'd Rather Be Starv'd And O'er Run With Each Evil,
Than Take By The Tail Such An Arrogant Devil.