Written In Montaignes Essays. Given To The Duke Of Shrewsbury In France, After The Peace

By Matthew Prior

Narrative Poem
Dictate, O mighty judge, what thou hast seen Of cities and of courts, of books and men, And deign to let thy servant hold the pen. Through ages, thus, I may presume to live, And from the transcript of thy prose receive What my own short-lived verse can never give. Thus shall fair Britain, with a gracious smile, Accept the work, and the instructed isle For more than treaties made shall bless my toil. Nor longer hence the Gallic style preferr'd, Wisdom in English idiom shall be heard, While Talbot tells the world where Montaigne err'd.

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This poem, a humble request to a mighty judge to dictate its lines, is actually a bold assertion of the poet's own authority and literary vision. The poem's formal structure, with its consistent iambic pentameter and quatrains, belies its subversive tone, as the poet seeks to supplant the judge's prose with its own verse. The use of a formal, almost antiquated, opening address to the judge (Dictate, O mighty judge) serves to underscore the poet's confidence in its own abilities, while the subsequent lines, which assert the poet's own agency and creative power (Through ages, thus, I may presume to live), create a sense of tonal shift, as the poem moves from a respectful supplication to a bold declaration. The poem's use of imagery and sound is noteworthy, particularly in the final line, where the phrase Wisdom in English idiom shall be heard creates a sense of sonic resonance, echoing the judge's own supposed authority. This sonic mirroring serves to reinforce the poet's claim to literary supremacy, as it suggests that the poet's own voice is capable of supplanting the judge's.

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.