Classic and Contemporary Poetry
VERSES DESIGNED TO BE SENT TO MR. ADAMS, by ELIZABETH FRANCES AMHERST Poet's Biography First Line: Indeed, good sir, you're quite mistaken Last Line: What spirits, pray, possess you men? Alternate Author Name(s): Thomas, Mrs. Elizabeth Subject(s): Animals; Evil | ||||||||
On his having read a French author, who supposed that the fallen angels abide in brute beasts, and his inferring from thence that Focky, Dicky and Cornet (a dog, a canary-bird and a cat belonging to three of his friends) are possessed with evil spirits INDEED, good Sir, you're quite mistaken, If you've for evil spirits taken My faithful Jock, or Dick or Cornet, For let me tell you, Sir, they scorn it. My Jocky I'll first vindicate, Then on the others I'll debate. My dog is honest and sincere, I never saw him fawn and sneer; He's faithful, kind, and never did Love me the worse when I have chid; He'd follow me though I were poor And begged my bread from door to door. If I caress him, he is pleased; If I neglect him, I'm ne'er teased. In any danger he's assistance: With teeth and claws he'd make resistance. Then tell me, pray, with all this merit, Can Jocky have an evil spirit? Poor Cornet is a quiet creature: One reads his mind in every feature; He ne'er makes mischief in the house, Nor quarrels e'er but with a mouse, But sits and purrs beside the fire, For his ambition soars not higher. Then how submissive does he stand At meals, to watch Miss Jenny's hand; With scraps of cheese or crusts of bread Thinks his attendance nobly paid. Should he a secret overhear, That he'll divulge you need not fear; In short, the creature is so civil, You cannot think his spirit evil. Against Miss Betty's dicky-bird I cannot let you say a word, When I reflect that he is come, From all his friends and native home, To a cold climate 'cross the seas, And prisoner kept in little ease; Yet far from mourning his sad fate, He never shows the least regret, But daily tires his lungs and throat To sing Miss Betty some sweet note; And what's surprising, ne'er did he Attempt to gain his liberty. Thus far I vindicate my friends: If you're convinced, I've gained my ends. Men oft may err, and books deceive, But sure experience you'll believe. That this I vouch, take on my credit: Had it been false, I'd ne'er have said it. If these are evil spirits, then What spirits, pray, possess you men? | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...AGAIN AND AGAIN I HAVE SEEN LIFE'S EVIL by EUGENIO MONTALE PACKING THE HEART by MARY JO BANG ON LADY POLTAGRUE: A PUBLIC PERIL by HILAIRE BELLOC TO A YOUNG AMERICAN THE DAY AFTER THE FALL OF BARCELONA by JOHN CIARDI THE SAINTS OF NEGATIVITY; FOR ERMA POUNDS by NORMAN DUBIE AND THE GREATEST OF THESE IS WAR by JAMES WELDON JOHNSON ELECTION DAY, 1984 by CAROLYN KIZER A PRIZE RIDDLE ON HERSELF WHEN 24 by ELIZABETH FRANCES AMHERST A SONG FOR THE SINGLE TABLE ON NEW YEAR'S DAY by ELIZABETH FRANCES AMHERST FROM A YOUNG WOMAN TO AN OLD OFFICER WHO COURTED HER by ELIZABETH FRANCES AMHERST |
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