A Case Of Libel

By Thomas Moore

            "The greater the truth, the worse the libel."     A certain Sprite, who dwells below,         ('Twere a libel perhaps to mention where,)     Came up incog. some years ago         To try for a change the London air.     So well he lookt and drest and talkt,         And hid his tail and horns so handy,     You'd hardly have known him as he walkt         From C----e, or any other Dandy.     (His horns, it seems, are made to unscrew;         So he has but to take them out of the socket,     And--just as some fine husbands do--         Conveniently clap them into his pocket.)     In short, he lookt extremely natty,         And even contrived--to his own great wonder--     By dint of sundry scents from Gattie,         To keep the sulphurous hogo under.     And so my gentleman hoofed about,         Unknown to all but a chosen few     At White's and Crockford's, where no doubt         He had many post-obits falling due.     Alike a gamester and a wit,         At night he was seen with Crockford's crew,     At morn with learned dames would sit--         So past his time 'twixt black and blue.     Some wisht to make him an M. P.,         But, finding Wilks was also one, he     Swore, in a rage, "he'd be damned, if he         "Would ever sit in one house with Johnny."     At length as secrets travel fast,         And devils, whether he or she,     Are sure to be found out at last,         The affair got wind most rapidly.     The Press, the impartial Press, that snubs         Alike a fiend's or an angel's capers--     Miss Paton's soon as Beelzebub's,         Fired off a squib in the morning papers:     "We warn good men to keep aloof         "From a grim old Dandy seen about     "With a fire-proof wig and a cloven hoof         "Thro' a neat-cut Hoby smoking out."     Now,--the Devil being gentleman,         Who piques himself on well-bred dealings,--     You may guess, when o'er these lines he ran,         How much they hurt and shockt his feelings.     Away he posts to a Man of Law,         And 'twould make you laugh could you have seen 'em,     As paw shook hand, and hand shook paw,         And 'twas "hail, good fellow, well met," between 'em.     Straight an indictment was preferred--         And much the Devil enjoyed the jest,     When, asking about the Bench, he heard         That, of all the Judges, his own was Best.[1]     In vain Defendant proffered proof         That Plaintiff's self was the Father of Evil--     Brought Hoby forth to swear to the hoof         And Stultz to speak to the tail of the Devil.     The Jury (saints, all snug and rich,         And readers of virtuous Sunday papers)     Found for the Plaintiff--on hearing which         The Devil gave one of his loftiest capers.     For oh, 'twas nuts to the Father of Lies         (As this wily fiend is named in the Bible)     To find it settled by laws so wise,         That the greater the truth, the worse the libel!

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain

Analysis & Notes:
The poem under review is a satirical piece, manifesting a humorous tone filled with wit and a playful exploration of societal norms. The principal theme is the hypocrisy within society, specifically focusing on the duality of appearances. The devil is personified as a 'Dandy,' a fashionable man blending in with London's high society, highlighting the poet's critique of shallow societal standards that prioritize appearance over moral integrity.

The structure of the poem is a narrative, unfolding a story in a chronological manner. The rhyming couplets and the rhythm of the verse contribute to the light-hearted tone, despite the serious themes being addressed. The devil's transformation into a 'Dandy,' for instance, is a humorous take on the idea of evil hiding in plain sight, enhanced by the poet’s clever use of irony and sarcasm. The poem’s ending, where the devil is thrilled that the more truthful the libel, the more damaging it is, serves as a biting commentary on the judicial system and the society at large.

The poem is also rich in literary devices, such as metaphor, irony, and satire, which the poet employs to enhance the narrative and its themes. Furthermore, the poet uses parenthetical asides to maintain a conversational tone, making the poem more accessible to a general audience. Overall, the poem is a wittily constructed critique of societal norms and hypocrisy, revealing the poet's sharp observational skills and ability to express serious themes through humor.