A Familiar Epistle

By Henry Austin Dobson

Narrative Poem
To * * Esq. of * * with a Life of the late Ingenious Mr. W M. Hogarth.     Dear Cosmopolitan,--I know     I should address you a Rondeau,     Or else announce what I've to say     At least en Ballade fratrisée;     But No: for once I leave Gymnasticks,     And take to simple Hudibrasticks;     Why should I choose another Way,     When this was good enough for GAY?     You love, my FRIEND, with me, I think,     That Age of Lustre and of Link;     Of Chelsea China and long "s"es,     Of Bag-wigs and of flowered Dresses;     That Age of Folly and of Cards,     Of Hackney Chairs and Hackney Bards;     --No H--LTS, no K--G--N P--LS were then     Dispensing Competence to Men;     The gentle Trade was left to Churls,     Your frowsy TONSONS and your CURLLS;     Mere Wolves in Ambush to attack     The AUTHOR in a Sheep-skin Back;     Then SAVAGE and his Brother-Sinners     In Porridge-Island div'd for Dinners;     Or doz'd on Covent Garden Bulks,     And liken'd Letters to the Hulks;--     You know that by-gone Time, I say,     That aimless easy-moral'd Day,     When rosy Morn found MADAM still     Wrangling at Ombre or Quadrille,     When good Sir JOHN reel'd Home to Bed,     From Pontack's or the Shakespear's Head;     When TRIP convey'd his Master's Cloaths,     And took his Titles and his Oaths;     While BETTY, in a cast Brocade,     Ogled MY LORD at Masquerade;     When GARRICK play'd the guilty Richard,     Or mouth'd Macbeth with Mrs. PRITCHARD;     When FOOTE grimac'd his snarling Wit;     When CHURCHILL bullied in the Pit;     When the CUZZONI sang--     But there!     The further Catalogue I spare,     Having no Purpose to eclipse     That tedious Tale of HOMER'S Ships;--     This is the MAN that drew it all     From Pannier Alley to the Mall,     Then turn'd and drew it once again     From Bird-Cage Walk to Lewknor's Lane;--     Its Rakes and Fools, its Rogues and Sots;     Its brawling Quacks, its starveling Scots;     Its Ups and Downs, its Rags and Garters,     Its HENLEYS, LOVATS, MALCOLMS, CHARTRES;     Its Splendour, Squalor, Shame, Disease;     Its quicquid agunt Homines;--     Nor yet omitted to pourtray     Furens quid possit Foemina;--     In short, held up to ev'ry Class     NATURE'S unflatt'ring looking-Glass;     And, from his Canvass, spoke to All     The Message of a JUVENAL.     Take Him. His Merits most aver:     His weak Point is--his Chronicler!     Nov^r. 1, 1879.

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This poem is a mock obituary, satirically eulogizing the life of William Hogarth, a prominent British artist and social commentator of the 18th century. The poem's structure, consisting of long, winding sentences and irregular lineation, mirrors the meandering narrative of Hogarth's life, which the poet describes as a tedious Tale of HOMER'S Ships. The use of rhetorical questions and exclamations, such as Why should I choose another Way? and But there!, creates a sense of playful irreverence, while the voice, characterized by its informality and familiarity, draws the reader into the poet's conversational tone. Throughout the poem, the poet employs vivid imagery and sound to recreate the excesses and follies of Hogarth's era, from rosy Morn to Furens quid possit Foemina (the furies that a woman can unleash). The poem's central message, however, is that Hogarth's greatest flaw was his chronicler, implying that the poet's own role is to critique and satirize the era in which he lives.

Exploring Narrative Poetry

Narrative poetry is a form of poetry that tells a story, often making use of the voices of a narrator and characters as well. Unlike lyric poetry, which focuses on emotions and thoughts, narrative poetry is dedicated to storytelling, weaving tales that captivate readers through plot and character development.

Narrative poems are unique in their ability to combine the depth of storytelling with the expressive qualities of poetry. Here are some defining characteristics:

  • Structured Plot: Narrative poems typically have a clear beginning, middle, and end, following a plot that might involve conflict, climax, and resolution, much like a short story or novel.
  • Character Development: Characters in narrative poems are often well-developed, with distinct voices and personalities that drive the story forward.
  • Descriptive Language: The language used in narrative poetry is vivid and descriptive, painting a clear picture of the scenes and events, while also conveying the emotions and atmosphere of the story.

From ancient epics like "The Iliad" and "The Odyssey" to more modern narrative poems, this form continues to engage readers by blending the art of storytelling with the beauty and rhythm of poetry.