View source for Poems on Witty Subjects in Congress

[[File:PoemsOnWittySubjectsInCongressP6.jpg|thumb|250px|[[George Wythe]] (VA) and William Ellery (RI) exchanged verses on pieces of scrap paper, as evidenced by the reverse of this page, which was part of a document addressed to "The Hon. William Ellery, Delegate for the State of Rhode Island, in Continental Congress, Philadelphia."]]
George Wythe and William Ellery, ''[http://bpl.bibliocommons.com/item/show/2837995075_poems_on_witty_subjects_in_congress Poems on Witty Subjects in Congress],'' American Revolutionary War Manuscripts Collection, Boston Public Library, MS.Ch.E.8.31-33.<ref>See W. Edwin Hemphill, "[[Media:HemphillGeorgeWytheCourtsTheMusesJuly1952.pdf|George Wythe Courts the Muses]]," ''William and Mary Quarterly'' 3rd ser., 9, no. 3 (July 1952), 338-345.</ref>

==Manuscript text, November-December 1776==

==="A Member of the Antinovanglian Faction to W. E.," by George Wythe (VA)===

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<center>A member of the antinovanglian faction to W. E.<ref>"Novanglian": New Englander.</ref></center>
<blockquote>
To works supererogation<br />
By others, some owe their salvation.<br />
To what the good yankees are doing<br />
Their duty beyond, we owe ruin.
</blockquote><center>Epigram by the ingenious George Wythe Esq</center>
For the two first Lines the author alludes to the Roman Catholics&mdash;<br />
In the two <s>first</s> last to the additional Pay, and Bounty <s>of</s> given to<br />
the Soldiers by the Eastern States.
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[[File:PoemsOnWittySubjectsInCongressP7.jpg|thumb|600px|Manuscript endorsed on the reverse as "1st Poem", page seven of [https://archive.org/details/poemsonwittysubj00elle ''Poems on Witty Subjects in Congress,''] from the [https://www.bpl.org/ Boston Public Library's] [https://archive.org/details/bplscarwm American Revolutionary War Manuscripts Collection.]]]
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==="A Novanglican to G.W.," by William Ellery (RI)===

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<center>A Novanglian to G. W.</center>
As by works supererogatory<br />
Rom. Caths are saved from purgatory,<br />
So by what the Yankees good are doing<br />
Buckskins will save from utter ruin.
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[[File:PoemsOnWittySubjectsInCongressP3.jpg|thumb|600px|Endorsed on the reverse as "To G. Wythe / Answer to / 1.st Poem", page three of ''Poems on Witty Subjects in Congress,'' from the [https://www.bpl.org/ Boston Public Library's] [https://archive.org/details/bplscarwm American Revolutionary War Manuscripts Collection.]]]
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==="Instead of Controlling Our Mary's Cross Humor," by William Ellery===

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Instead of controlling our Mary's cross humour<br />
You give what she asks you. Nay, you would do more<br />
<s>For the</s> First Virginia, instead of <s>a manly</s> nobly persisting<br />
Gives <s>One</s> up to Mary one Roll for enlisting.<br />
Mary then rising in her wild Demands<br />
<s>The</s> Virginia lays open the Claims about Lands<br />
Nay, more abounding in Supererogation,<br />
She too proposes the Mode of Taxation<br />
To leave as it was before it was debated<br />
For perhaps by this <s>forward</s> might Mary<s>'ll</s> be sated.<br />
Pray, what is the Cause of this Indulgence so great<br />
Where Discord and Jarring subsisted of late?<br />
Ill tell you, my Friend, 'tis a truth very serious:<br />
Interest will join States of Sentiments various.
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[[File:PoemsOnWittySubjectsInCongressP5.jpg|thumb|600px|Manuscript endorses as "Poem Ans &mdash; WE / 2d", page five of ''Poems on Witty Subjects in Congress,'' from the [https://www.bpl.org/ Boston Public Library's] [https://archive.org/details/bplscarwm American Revolutionary War Manuscripts Collection.]]]
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==="For Farms in Utopia, the Moon, or Some Fairyland," by George Wythe===

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For farms in eutopia, the moon, or some fairyland<br />
Compensations more worth were offered by Maryland.<br />
In this it's denied, Sir, our sister's cross humour'd,<br />
Whatever by juntos or patriots be rumour'd.<br />
Her brave men must fight, bleed, and suffer as others,<br />
Leave orphans their dear babes, and childless their mothers,<br />
Give full many a fair Penelope heartaches,<br />
Whilst their country of their virtuous earnings partakes<br />
A very small pittance. Why this noise and stir then,<br />
If, lest her shoulders bear too much of the burthen,<br />
She reject your unequal mode of taxation,<br />
Demonstrate by numbers, without relaxation,<br />
That ruin is doom'd her, and cries in distraction<br />
She'll yield to the old, not the new-english faction?<br />
With candor attend to her efflagitation,<br />
And these two demands grant without hesitation.<br />
Virginia must feel for any neighbour oppress'd,<br />
Cannot easy remain til the mischief's suppress'd;
<center>And</center>
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[[File:PoemsOnWittySubjectsInCongressP9.jpg|thumb|600px|Page nine of ''Poems on Witty Subjects in Congress,'' from the [https://www.bpl.org/ Boston Public Library's] [https://archive.org/details/bplscarwm American Revolutionary War Manuscripts Collection.]]]
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And if slaves you include in your capitation,<br />
Is equally injur'd&mdash;claims like defalcation.<br />
E'ene while, it is true, we're somewhat contrarient,<br />
Yet interest will join those of sentiments variant.<br />
And why not? For thence flows that blessing transcendent<br />
All wish for devoutly, a state independent.<br />
Then cease to object to a sister we're tender,<br />
Indulgent with excess&mdash;unwilling to mend her,<br />
If we favour petitions founded on reason,<br />
With deference offer'd at convenient season.<br />
Fell discord had too long among us existed.<br />
From our councils cashier'd, if now re-enlisted,<br />
It with tories will league to puzzle our measures,<br />
And spoil us of freedom, most precious of treasures.
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[[File:PoemsOnWittySubjectsInCongressP10.jpg|thumb|600px|Manuscript endorsed as "G.W. 3d. / in Answr. to E.s 2d", page ten of ''Poems on Witty Subjects in Congress,'' from the [https://www.bpl.org/ Boston Public Library's] [https://archive.org/details/bplscarwm American Revolutionary War Manuscripts Collection.]]]
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===With One Epigram, Though Well Hit Off" by George Wythe===

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With one epigram, though well hit off,<br />
You must not expect, Sir, to get off.<br />
I can't for my life give o'er scribbling,<br />
Except whilst I'm dreaming or quibbling.<br />
Scribendi tam dira cupido,<ref>"Dire desire to write," paraphrase of Virgil, ''Aeneid,'' Book V, line 721.</ref><br />
Quam amor quo consumpta Dido.<ref>"The love which consumed Dido," Queen of Carthage.</ref><br />
If Howe,<ref>General [[wikipedia:William Howe, 5th Viscount Howe|William Howe]], (1729 &ndash; 1814), Commander-in-Chief of British forces during the American Revolutionary War, captured Philadelphia in September, 1777.</ref> hither marching, friend Ell'ry,<br />
Were near with his train of artill'ry<br />
And bells in the city were chiming,<br />
This strange caco&#235;thes of rhiming<br />
Would not cease. Tell me not, in answer,<br />
You can't write. It's known you well can, Sir,<br />
Proceed then; or haec tibi cura,<ref>Ovid, ''Ex Ponto'' III, xxxvi.</ref><br />
I shall draw your caricatura.<br />
If who's the author, dubitatur?<ref>''Dubitatur:'' "It is doubted."</ref><br />
He's your correspondent, Nugator.<ref>Jester, clown.</ref>
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[[File:PoemsOnWittySubjectsInCongressP21.jpg|thumb|600px|Manuscript endorsed <s>Poem G</s> Answer / to Epigram .4.", page twenty-one of [https://archive.org/details/poemsonwittysubj00elle ''Poems on Witty Subjects in Congress,''] from the [https://www.bpl.org/ Boston Public Library's] [https://archive.org/details/bplscarwm American Revolutionary War Manuscripts Collection.]]]
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==="Unless You Will Take One Line for Your Ten," by William Ellery===

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Unless you will take one Line for your Ten<br />
I shall never pay you, and indeed I shan't then.<br />
For to form One good Clink and invita Minerva,<ref>Defy nature, literally "go against Minerva's will." Cicero, ''De Officiis,'' I, 31, 110.</ref><br />
I must <s>ransack</s> turn my poor Brains <s>all</s> quite topsy, turvy.<br />
While you with a Portion of Latin and Greek<br />
<s>As n an</s> An hundred good lines can easily make<br />
As the Virginian Tully<ref>Wythe is a Virginian Cicero: [[wikipedia:Marcus Tullius Cicero|Marcus Tullius Cicero]].</ref> can speak.<br />
The muses will readily yield up their Charms<br />
To the Poet that dreads not the Thunder of Arms<br />
They'll favour the brave the youthfull the blythe<br />
Will fly from an Ellery and caress a Wythe<br />
Compelled thus to rhime in my own Defense<br />
<s>These Lines are dictated a Lege Natura</s><br />
<s>Pray then forbear Sir, your Caricatura</s><br />
I most humbly submit to your Candour and Sense.<br />
What thus is forced from Me Lege magna Natura<ref>A great law of Nature.</ref><br />
And beg you would forbear Sir your Caricatura
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[[File:PoemsOnWittySubjectsInCongressP23.jpg|thumb|600px|Manuscript endorsed "Answer E to / the Answr. to 4", page twenty-three of [https://archive.org/details/poemsonwittysubj00elle ''Poems on Witty Subjects in Congress,''] from the [https://www.bpl.org/ Boston Public Library's] [https://archive.org/details/bplscarwm American Revolutionary War Manuscripts Collection.]]]
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==="You've Not Only Quitted Your Arrear," by George Wythe===

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You've not only quitted your arrear<br />
But check'd my poetical career.<br />
I flatter'd myself that Apollo<br />
Had told me the Muses to follow.<br />
But they to Parnassus retiring<br />
And frowning forbade my aspiring,<br />
Rejected my awkward addresses,<br />
Bestow'd on my rival caresses,<br />
Made mirth of my passion for soaring,<br />
And laugh'd at my anguish and roaring.<br />
Whilst you mount with wing Pegasean<br />
And, triumphing, sing Io Paean,<ref>Classical Greek cry of exultation or triumph, traditionally addressed to Apollo the healer.</ref><br />
With eyes full of envy and surprise,<br />
The laurel, I see, becomes your prize.<br />
My latin and greek not a bawbee<ref>[[wikipedia:Bawbee|Bawbee]]: a Scottish half-penny.</ref><br />
I value (Think not I bedaub ye<br />
With praise, though this seems that way leaning)<br />
When one of your couplets more meaning<br />
Fine sense and true humour you fling in,<br />
Than twenty of mine I can bring in.
<center>A</center>
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[[File:PoemsOnWittySubjectsInCongressP15.jpg|thumb|600px|Page fifteen of [https://archive.org/details/poemsonwittysubj00elle ''Poems on Witty Subjects in Congress,''] from the [https://www.bpl.org/ Boston Public Library's] [https://archive.org/details/bplscarwm American Revolutionary War Manuscripts Collection.]]]
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Some <s>A</s> mere poetaster call Tully,<br />
In for a naggering bully;<br />
Most others a speaker persuasive,<br />
In reasoning though sometimes evasive<br />
Did you, making me his compeer, Sir,<br />
An irony mean, or a sneer, Sir?
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[[File:PoemsOnWittySubjectsInCongressP16.jpg|thumb|600px|Manuscript endorsed "Poem W.5", page sixteen of [https://archive.org/details/poemsonwittysubj00elle ''Poems on Witty Subjects in Congress,''] from the [https://www.bpl.org/ Boston Public Library's] [https://archive.org/details/bplscarwm American Revolutionary War Manuscripts Collection.]]]
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==="The Gen'rous Idea Your Last Piece Expresses," by William Ellery===

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The gen'rous Idea your last Peice [''sic''] expresses<br />
Instead of <s>exal</s> exciting my Ardour, depresses.<br />
The Muses I know by Experience are Gilts<br />
And he moves unsafely who moves upon Stilts.<br />
When my Fancy was young I asked of those Lasses<br />
To aid my Ascent up the Mount of Parnassus,<br />
They told me to follow but as swift as the Wind<br />
They gained its high Top and left me behind.<br />
Thus jilted, I labour'd but quickly I found<br />
My Tread was too clumsy for poetick Ground.<br />
And wanting their Aid to assist my weak Passes<br />
I bid an Adieu to the Mount of Parnassus.<br />
Since that contented with Limitation<br />
Sometimes Ive attempted an humble Translation,<br />
Inspired with an Ardour deriv'd from gay Bacchus,<br />
Of an Eclogue of Mars or some Ode of Flaccus.<br />
Sometimes too when a Genius hath started Ideas<br />
I've made use of his Hints ut nuper to videa.<ref>"As of late, you see."</ref><br />
Like a Babbler ambitious of some little Fame<br />
I follow when Freeman hath started the Game,<br />
<s>And</s> But when hunted down poor Puss sinks and dies<br />
I give up to Freeman his Right to the Prize.<br />
Let Wythe take the Laurel his Genius demands<br />
I ask but this Boon to be <s>rank'd</s> class'd with his Friends.<br />
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[[File:PoemsOnWittySubjectsInCongressP25.jpg|thumb|600px|Manuscript endorsed "WE. Answer / to 5", page twenty-five of [https://archive.org/details/poemsonwittysubj00elle ''Poems on Witty Subjects in Congress,''] from the [https://www.bpl.org/ Boston Public Library's] [https://archive.org/details/bplscarwm American Revolutionary War Manuscripts Collection.]]]
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===Copy of Ellery's epigram, in Wythe's hand===

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Like a Babbler ambitious of some little fame<br />
I follow when Freeman hath started the Game,<br />
But when hunted down poor Puss sinks and dies<br />
I give up to Freeman his Right to the Prize<br />
Let Wythe take the Laurel his Genius demands<br />
I ask but this Book to be classed with his Friends.
<center>W. E.</center>
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[[File:PoemsOnWittySubjectsInCongressP11.jpg|thumb|600px|Page eleven of [https://archive.org/details/poemsonwittysubj00elle ''Poems on Witty Subjects in Congress,''] from the [https://www.bpl.org/ Boston Public Library's] [https://archive.org/details/bplscarwm American Revolutionary War Manuscripts Collection.]]]
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===Martial, Epigram 12.47, in Wythe's hand===

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In all thy humour, whether grave or mellow,<br />
Thou'rt such a touchy, testy, fellow,<br />
Hast so much mirth, and wit, and splen about thee,<br />
There is no living with thee, or without thee.<br />

<blockquote>I remember to have seen<br />this translation of an<br />epigram of Martial.</blockquote>
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[[File:PoemsOnWittySubjectsInCongressP13.jpg|thumb|600px|Page thirteen of [https://archive.org/details/poemsonwittysubj00elle ''Poems on Witty Subjects in Congress,''] from the [https://www.bpl.org/ Boston Public Library's] [https://archive.org/details/bplscarwm American Revolutionary War Manuscripts Collection.]]]
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==="Those with Whom the Powers of Government," by George Wythe===

In this mix prose and verse, Wythe seems to be trying to bring to light some complaint with Congress regarding a late ballot, which he entreats the "college of censors" to inquire upon, despite one of those involved being as respected as Nestor of Greek mythology (but false as Milton's Belial):

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Those with whom the powers of government are entrusted should be diligently watched; and when they act otherwise than they ought should at least be told of it. Their misdoings indeed cannot in many instances be discovered especially where they

<blockquote>
<sup>(a)</sup> 'In close recess and secret conclave sit!'<ref>Milton's demonic council in ''[[Paradise Lost]],'' Book I, lines 792-797: "But far within,/And in their own dimensions, like themselves,/The great seraphic lords and cherubim/In close recess and secret conclave sat;/A thousand demigods on golden seats/Frequent and full."</ref>
</blockquote>

But shall loud reports of misrule only astonish us, and vanish in air?

<blockquote>
As thunder rattling though the welkin flies,<br />
Then rumbling shudd'ring, undulating dies.
</blockquote>

And will the people, disturbed by them for a moment, settle again in halcyon tranquillity?

<blockquote>
As when a rock, by Polyphemus thrown,<br />
On some still lake falls splashing sinking down<br />
The floating circles ripple to the main,<br />
Disperse, and leave the surface smooth again.
</blockquote>

Forbid it, ye college of censors, to whose zeal and vigilance your country is so much indebted. Inquire into a late ballot, and animadvert upon the transaction, and upon those who were concerned in it, as they deserve, with your wanted prudence; although one of the persons may be he

<blockquote>
<sup>(a)</sup> 'Whose tongue drops manna,<ref>Milton, ''[[Paradise Lost]],'' Book II, lines 112-113: "On the other side uprose/[[wikipedia:Belial|Belial]], in act more graceful and humane./A fairer person lost not Heaven; he seemed no/For dignity composed, and high exploit,/But all was false and hollow, though ''his tongue''/''Dropped manna,'' and could make the worse appear/The better reason, to perplex and dash/Maturest counsels...."</ref> <sup>(b)</sup> thick as driven snow,<ref>Homer, ''Iliad,'' Book XII, line 278-279: Stones are volleyed by the Trojans and Achaeans "as flakes of snow fall thick on a winter's day."</ref><br />
<sup>(c)</sup> 'And from whose tongue words sweet as honey flow.'<ref>Homer's admiration of [[wikipedia:Nestor (mythology)|Nestor]], in the [[Homerou Iliados|''Iliad'']], Book I, line 249: "But Atreides/raged still on the other side, and between them Nestor/the fair-spoken rose up, the lucid speaker of Pylos,/[http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0134%3Abook%3D1%3Acard%3D245 ''from whose lips the streams of words ran sweeter than honey.'']"</ref>
</blockquote>
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[[File:PoemsOnWittySubjectsInCongressP17.jpg|thumb|600px|Page nineteen of [https://archive.org/details/poemsonwittysubj00elle ''Poems on Witty Subjects in Congress,''] from the [https://www.bpl.org/ Boston Public Library's] [https://archive.org/details/bplscarwm American Revolutionary War Manuscripts Collection.]]]
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What ballot? and what was amiss in it?

<blockquote>
To the wise, Sirs, a word is enough.<br />
If, by this aenigmatical stuff,<br />
You would have me explain what I mean,<br />
'Tis a false supernum'rary bean.
</blockquote>


(a) Milton<br />
(b) Homer<br />
(c) τοῦ καὶ ἀπὸ γλώσσης μέλιτος γλυκίων ῥέεν αὐδή<ref>Wythe translates this line of Homer as "And from whose tongue words sweet as honey flow."</ref>
:::::::::::::Homer

This was addressed to the committee of <s>safety</s> inspection, and sent to a printer, who would not insert it [in] his paper.

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[[File:PoemsOnWittySubjectsInCongressP18.jpg|thumb|600px|Page twenty of [https://archive.org/details/poemsonwittysubj00elle ''Poems on Witty Subjects in Congress,''] from the [https://www.bpl.org/ Boston Public Library's] [https://archive.org/details/bplscarwm American Revolutionary War Manuscripts Collection.]]]
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==="A Commissioner, to the People of Philadelphia," by William Ellery===

In this poem, Ellery chastises the conservative position of [[wikipedia:Andrew Allen (Pennsylvania)|Andrew Allen]], delegate from Pennsylvania, for his commonwealth's reluctance to support independence from Great Britain. The first letter of each line spells out "ANDREW ALLEN" (emphasized here). Ellery apparently attempted to get the poem published, as there is another draft with the lines transposed to avoid obvious "libellus famosos" (libel), and a dialogue with a reluctant printer:

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<center>A Commissioner, to the people of P _ _ _ _ _ a</center>
'''A'''ttend all ye People of ev'ry degree<br />
'''N'''o longer pretend that your Country youll free<br />
'''D'''eclare for your Treasons a hearty Contrition<br />
'''R'''egard as you tender your lives Admonition<br />
<strong>E</strong>'re too late to flee from impending Perdition<br />
'''W'''ho like me to the King Allegiance will swear<br />
'''A'''nd future Submission to Congress forbear<br />
'''L'''eave all his old Friends to the Parliaments Fury<br />
'''L'''et Rebels be hang'd without Judge or Jury<br />
'''E'''scapes condemnation to gibbet or halter<br />
'''N'''or needs forfeiture fear unless times should alter.
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[[File:PoemsOnWittySubjectsInCongressP1.jpg|thumb|600px|Page one of [https://archive.org/details/poemsonwittysubj00elle ''Poems on Witty Subjects in Congress,''] from the [https://www.bpl.org/ Boston Public Library's] [https://archive.org/details/bplscarwm American Revolutionary War Manuscripts Collection.]]]
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A C . . . . . . . . . . r to the people of P . . . . . . . . . . a<br />
<blockquote>
Declare for your treasons a hearty contrition<br />
Who like me to the king allegiance will swear<br />
Attend all ye people of ev'ry degree<br />
Nor needs forfeiture fear unless times should alter.<br />
Regard as you tender your lives admonition<br />
Leave all his old friends to the parliaments Fury<br />
No longer pretend that your country you'll free<br />
E're too late to flee from impending perdition<br />
Let rebels be hang'd up without judge or jury<br />
And future submission to congress forbear<br />
Escapes condemnation to gibbet or halter.
</blockquote>
A dialogue between [''manuscript damaged''] who wrote the above<br />
and a printer who was desired and refused<br />
to publish it.

H. Not Print it! Sir, why? P. Because it is nonsense.<br />

H. No prudent wight sure will then take offense.<br />
Words without meaning are quite harmless things.<br />
Minds <s>of evil</s> conscious of evil truth only stings.<br />
Most readers besides will skip such stuff over,<br />
Like advertisements where horses will cover.<br />

P. A slander perhaps&mdash; H. No&mdash;that is denied,<br />
Unless with letters initial supplied.<br />
Nay, still if the lines remain untransposed,<br />
Nothing unkind or sarcastic's inclos'd.<br />

P. What? initials?&mdash;Let me see&mdash;aye&mdash;they make it<br />
So plain that dunces alone can mistake it.<br />
If calumny foul, though sweet flowering verse,<br />
Or elegant prose, our devils disperse,
<center>Fines</center>
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[[File:PoemsOnWittySubjectsInCongressP19.jpg|thumb|600px|Page nineteen of [https://archive.org/details/poemsonwittysubj00elle ''Poems on Witty Subjects in Congress,''] from the [https://www.bpl.org/ Boston Public Library's] [https://archive.org/details/bplscarwm American Revolutionary War Manuscripts Collection.]]]
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Fines with vile durance, 'twould cost and expose us<br />
Worse pains to bear for libellus famosus.<ref>''Libellus famosos:'' libel.</ref><br />

H. In these times of license leave off your shrugs,<br />
Nor prisons nor pillories fear, nor<br />
<s>Pillories fear not, nor prisons or</s> cropt lugs.<ref>A reference to the colonial punishment of cutting off ears?</ref><br />

P: Though pusillanimous call'd or a churl,<br />
Venture I will not to suffer like Curl.<ref>[[wikipedia:Edmund Curll|Edmund Curll]] (''c.'' 1675 &ndash; 1747), whose name was synonymous with "unscrupulous publication and publicity."</ref>
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[[File:PoemsOnWittySubjectsInCongressP20.jpg|thumb|600px|Page twenty of [https://archive.org/details/poemsonwittysubj00elle ''Poems on Witty Subjects in Congress,''] from the [https://www.bpl.org/ Boston Public Library's] [https://archive.org/details/bplscarwm American Revolutionary War Manuscripts Collection.]]]
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==See also==

*[[George Wythe Courts the Muses]]
*[[Wythe to Samuel Adams, 1 August 1778]]

==References==
<references />

==External links==

*Read these poems in the [https://archive.org/details/poemsonwittysubj00elle Internet Archive].
*[https://www.bpl.org/ Boston Public Library,] [https://www.bpl.org/research/special/collections.htm Special Collections.]
*[https://archive.org/details/bplscarwm American Revolutionary War Manuscripts at the Boston Public Library,] Internet Archive.

[[Category:Letters and Papers]]