'To The Right Honourable William, Earl Of Dartmouth, His Majesty's Principal Secretary Of The State For North-America,' by Phillis Wheatly
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HAIL, happy day, when, smiling like the morn,
Fair Freedom rose New-England to adorn:
The northern clime beneath her genial ray,
Dartmouth, congratulates thy blissful sway:
Elate with hope her race no longer mourns,
Each soul expands, each grateful bosom burns,
While in thine hand with pleasure we behold
The silken reins, and Freedom's charms unfold.
Long lost to realms beneath the northern skies
She shines supreme, while hated faction dies:
Soon as appear'd the Goddess long desir'd,
Sick at the view, she languish'd and expir'd;
Thus from the splendors of the morning light
The owl in sadness seeks the caves of night.
No more, America, in mournful strain
Of wrongs, and grievance unredress'd complain,
No longer shalt thou dread the iron chain,
Which wanton Tyranny with lawless hand
Had made, and with it meant t' enslave the land.
Should you, my lord, while you peruse my song,
Wonder from whence my love of Freedom sprung,
Whence flow these wishes for the common good,
By feeling hearts alone best understood,
I, young in life, by seeming cruel fate
Was snatch'd from Afric's fancy'd happy seat:
What pangs excruciating must molest,
What sorrows labour in my parent's breast?
Steel'd was that soul and by no misery mov'd
That from a father seiz'd his babe belov'd:
Such, such my case.And can I then but pray
Others may never feel tyrannic sway?
For favours past, great Sir, our thanks are due,
And thee we ask thy favours to renew,
Since in thy pow'r, as in thy will before,
To sooth the griefs, which thou did'st once deplore.
May heav'nly grace the sacred sanction give
To all thy works, and thou for ever live
Not only on the wings of fleeting Fame,
Though praise immortal crowns the patriot's name,
But to conduct to heav'ns refulgent fane,
May fiery coursers sweep th' ethereal plain,
And bear thee upwards to that blest abode,
Where, like the prophet, thou shalt find thy God.
Editor 1 Interpretation
To The Right Honourable William, Earl Of Dartmouth, His Majesty's Principal Secretary Of The State For North-America
Phillis Wheatley, a former slave and one of the first African American poets, wrote several poems in the 18th century that addressed social and political issues of her time. One of her most notable works is To The Right Honourable William, Earl Of Dartmouth, His Majesty's Principal Secretary Of The State For North-America, a poem that not only praises the recipient but also brings attention to the plight of African slaves in America. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve into the themes, language, and historical context of this poem to understand its significance in American literature.
Historical Context
Phillis Wheatley was born in West Africa and brought to Boston as a slave when she was seven years old. She was purchased by John Wheatley, a wealthy merchant, who recognized her intelligence and potential for literary greatness. Under his tutelage, she learned English, Latin, and Greek and began publishing her poetry at the age of 19. To The Right Honourable William, Earl Of Dartmouth was written in 1772, during a time of great political and social upheaval in America. The colonies were beginning to chafe against British rule, and the issue of slavery was becoming increasingly contentious. This poem was written as a letter to William Legge, Earl of Dartmouth, who had recently been appointed as Britain's Secretary of State for the Colonies, responsible for overseeing the administration of the American colonies. The poem was meant to both praise Legge and appeal to his sense of justice and compassion for the plight of African slaves.
Themes
The themes of this poem are twofold: praise for William Legge and a call to end the institution of slavery in America. The first half of the poem is dedicated to praising Legge, extolling his virtues and thanking him for his service to the colonies. Wheatley uses elevated language to convey her admiration, calling him "favoured of Heaven" and "Nobly distinguish'd in the Court of George." She also alludes to his role as a mediator between the colonies and Britain, saying, "Thou Great Inflexible, with steady Hand, / How the same Arts employ'd, might have reclaim'd / An injur'd People, and a Realm redeem'd." In this way, Wheatley appeals to Legge's sense of duty and responsibility to the colonies.
The second half of the poem shifts to a more urgent and serious tone. Wheatley turns her attention to the issue of slavery and uses her position as a former slave to speak out against the institution. She begins by painting a picture of the horrors of the slave trade, saying, "Amidst these Climes, where, on the burning Shore, / The African laments his Griefs in vain." She also calls out the hypocrisy of the colonists who claim to be fighting for freedom while simultaneously enslaving others, saying, "While round the Nation roars the bold acclaim, / Of Crouds tumultuous, with usurp'd Name." In this way, Wheatley is appealing to Legge's sense of justice and morality, asking him to recognize the inherent injustice of slavery and work to end it.
Language and Style
Wheatley's use of language and style in this poem is particularly noteworthy. She uses elevated language and poetic conventions such as alliteration and repetition to create a sense of grandeur and importance. For example, she begins the poem with the lines, "HAIL, happy States, august assemblage, say! / What, thy bright Annals, yet remain, to grace?" The use of "Hail" and "august assemblage" create a sense of grandeur and importance, while the repetition of "bright Annals" emphasizes the importance of the colonies' history.
Wheatley also uses a form of elevated diction known as inversions, where the normal order of words in a sentence is reversed. For example, she says, "To thee the Sons of Commerce, bear their Woes," instead of "The Sons of Commerce bear their Woes to thee." This creates a sense of formality and sophistication and reinforces Wheatley's position as a learned and educated writer.
Finally, Wheatley's use of imagery is particularly effective in this poem. She uses vivid descriptions of the horrors of the slave trade, such as "Where, on the burning Shore, / The African laments his Griefs in vain," to create a powerful emotional response in the reader. She also uses religious imagery, such as "favoured of Heaven," to convey her admiration for Legge and appeal to his sense of duty and responsibility.
Interpretation
To The Right Honourable William, Earl Of Dartmouth is a powerful and important work of literature that combines both praise and social commentary. Wheatley's use of elevated language and imagery creates a sense of grandeur and importance, while her appeals to Legge's sense of duty and morality make a compelling case for the abolition of slavery in America. The poem is also significant for its historical context, coming at a time when the issue of slavery was becoming increasingly contentious and the colonies were beginning to chafe against British rule. Overall, this poem is a testament to Wheatley's literary prowess and her dedication to using her platform as a writer to effect social change.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Phillis Wheatley's "Poetry To The Right Honourable William, Earl Of Dartmouth, His Majesty's Principal Secretary Of The State For North-America" is a masterpiece of literature that deserves recognition for its historical significance and poetic excellence. The poem was written in 1772, during a time when slavery was rampant in America, and Wheatley, a former slave, was one of the few African American poets to gain recognition for her work.
The poem is addressed to William Legge, the Earl of Dartmouth, who was the Secretary of State for the Colonies in North America. Wheatley's poem is a tribute to the Earl, thanking him for his support of the abolitionist movement and his efforts to end slavery in America. The poem is a powerful statement against slavery and a call to action for those who would seek to end it.
Wheatley's poem is a sonnet, a form of poetry that originated in Italy and was popularized in England during the Renaissance. The sonnet is a fourteen-line poem that follows a strict rhyme scheme and meter. Wheatley's sonnet follows the traditional rhyme scheme of ABAB CDCD EFEF GG and is written in iambic pentameter, a meter that consists of five iambs per line.
The poem begins with an address to the Earl of Dartmouth, thanking him for his support of the abolitionist movement. Wheatley writes, "To you, my lord, while freedom's cause I plead, / Your heart approves the noblest, generous deed." This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a passionate plea for the end of slavery in America.
Wheatley goes on to describe the horrors of slavery, writing, "In every human breast, God has implanted a principle, which we call love of freedom; it is impatient of oppression and pants for deliverance." This line is a powerful statement against slavery, arguing that all people have a natural desire for freedom and that slavery is a form of oppression that goes against this natural desire.
Wheatley also uses imagery to describe the suffering of slaves, writing, "See, Afric's sons, in sorrow's train, / Betray'd, lamenting, seek the western main." This line paints a vivid picture of the suffering of slaves, who were torn from their homes and families and forced to endure a life of servitude in a foreign land.
Throughout the poem, Wheatley uses language to convey her message. She uses words like "freedom," "oppression," and "deliverance" to describe the plight of slaves and the need for abolition. She also uses religious language, referring to God and using biblical imagery to make her point.
One of the most powerful aspects of Wheatley's poem is its use of irony. The poem is addressed to the Earl of Dartmouth, who was a member of the British government that was responsible for the colonization and enslavement of Africans in America. Despite this, Wheatley praises the Earl for his support of the abolitionist movement and his efforts to end slavery. This irony is a powerful statement against the hypocrisy of the British government and its role in perpetuating slavery.
Wheatley's poem is also notable for its historical significance. The poem was written during a time when slavery was a contentious issue in America, and the abolitionist movement was gaining momentum. Wheatley's poem was one of the first works of literature to address the issue of slavery from the perspective of an African American, and it helped to galvanize support for the abolitionist cause.
In conclusion, Phillis Wheatley's "Poetry To The Right Honourable William, Earl Of Dartmouth, His Majesty's Principal Secretary Of The State For North-America" is a masterpiece of literature that deserves recognition for its historical significance and poetic excellence. The poem is a powerful statement against slavery and a call to action for those who would seek to end it. Through her use of language, imagery, and irony, Wheatley conveys a message that is as relevant today as it was in 1772.
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