Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral · Chapters
Chapters explained
Chapter companions for Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral by Phillis Wheatley.
Chapter 1
Dedication
Phillis Wheatley respectfully dedicates her collection of poems to the Right Honourable the Countess of Huntingdon, expressing her humility and devotion as a servant.
Chapter 2
Letter to the Publisher
A letter from John Wheatley, Phillis Wheatley's master, to the publisher attesting to her remarkable intellectual achievements. He describes how she was brought from Africa at age seven or eight in 1761, learned English in sixteen months without formal schooling, could read difficult parts of the Bible, taught herself to write, and by 1765 wrote a letter to Reverend Occum. He also notes her progress in learning Latin.
Chapter 3
Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral
This chapter presents a collection of poems by Phillis Wheatley, exploring themes of Christian redemption, classical and biblical allusions, and the moral and spiritual journey from enslavement to salvation. The poems reflect on divine providence, virtue, and the afterlife, often drawing on classical mythology and biblical narratives to convey moral guidance and consolation.
Chapter 4
To Maecenas
The speaker addresses Maecenas, celebrating the power of classical poets like Homer and Virgil, while lamenting her own inability to match their genius. She reflects on the partial grace given to Terence, the only African poet celebrated in history, and asks Maecenas for his patronage and support.
Chapter 5
On Virtue
The speaker addresses Virtue as a bright jewel and a queen, striving to comprehend and embrace it. Despite acknowledging that wisdom is beyond a fool's reach, the speaker refuses to despair, recognizing that Virtue is near and offers gentle embrace. The poem calls for Virtue to guide the speaker through youth, away from false joys, toward eternal bliss, and to teach a nobler strain, as Virtue is enthroned with Cherubs in the realms of day.
Chapter 6
To the University of Cambridge, in New-England
Phillis Wheatley addresses the students of Harvard, reflecting on her own journey from Africa ("the land of errors, and Egyptian gloom") to America, and urges them to embrace their Christian faith, study the heavens, and avoid sin. She emphasizes Christ's redemptive sacrifice and warns against the deadly consequences of sin.
Chapter 7
To the King’s Most Excellent Majesty. 1768
A poem expressing loyalty and praise to King George III, wishing him a long reign, divine protection, and the ability to rule with peace and freedom for his subjects.
Chapter 8
On Being Brought from Africa to America
The speaker reflects on being brought from Africa to America, acknowledging it as an act of divine mercy that led to Christian redemption. She notes the scorn some hold for Black people but reminds Christians that even those with black skin, like Cain, can be refined and join the angelic train.
Chapter 9
On the Death of the Rev. Dr. Sewell. 1769
The poem mourns the death of Reverend Dr. Sewell, celebrating his ascension to heaven and urging readers to follow his pious example. It reflects on his pastoral care, his role as a spiritual guide, and the hope of eternal life through Christ.
Chapter 10
On the Death of the Rev. Mr. George Whitefield. 1770
An elegy mourning the death of Reverend George Whitefield, celebrating his saintly life, powerful preaching, and selfless ministry. The poem depicts his ascent to heaven, his prayers for America and Africans, and calls for readers to find comfort in his eternal reward.
Chapter 11
On the Death of a Young Lady of Five Years of Age
The poem consoles grieving parents over the death of their five-year-old daughter, Nancy, by describing her joyful ascent to heaven and urging them to accept God's will with gratitude and hope.
Chapter 12
On the Death of a Young Gentleman
The poem mourns the death of a young gentleman, celebrating his spiritual victory over Satan and his ascension to a heavenly reward. The speaker expresses a desire to witness his glory and offers consolation to the grieving parents, urging them to find solace in the saint's journey to God.
Chapter 13
To a Lady on the Death of Her Husband
The poem addresses a grieving widow, urging her to look beyond earthly sorrow and find consolation in the Christian hope of reunion with her husband in the afterlife. It personifies Death as a grim, insatiable monarch and contrasts the temporary nature of mortal life with the eternal, divine frame promised to the soul.
Chapter 14
Goliath of Gath
This chapter retells the biblical story of David and Goliath in poetic form, describing the Philistine giant's challenge, David's courageous acceptance, and his victory through divine aid.
Chapter 15
Thoughts on the Works of Providence
The poem celebrates divine providence and the grandeur of creation, urging the soul to praise God. It explores the interplay between Reason and Love, the cycles of day and night, and the mercy of God in granting sleep and renewal. The speaker reflects on the wisdom and goodness evident in nature, from the sun's course to the growth of plants, and calls for gratitude and prayer.
Chapter 16
To a Lady on the Death of Three Relations
The poem meditates on the universal power of Death, which claims all ages and realms, and offers consolation to a lady mourning the loss of three relatives. It describes the deceased as freed from bondage, their spirits rising beyond the mortal world. The speaker urges the mourner to look toward heavenly joys and join the celestial chorus, finding hope and faith beyond earthly grief.
Chapter 17
To a Clergyman on the Death of His Lady
The poem offers consolation to a clergyman grieving his wife's death, depicting her in heaven among angels and urging him to look forward to reunion in the afterlife. It emphasizes Christian redemption, the futility of excessive sorrow, and the promise of eternal glory through Christ's resurrection.
Chapter 18
An Hymn to the Morning
The poet invokes the nine muses to refine her song in praise of Aurora, the dawn. She describes the awakening of nature—rays spreading, zephyrs playing, birds resuming their songs—and calls on the groves and Calliope to inspire her. Yet as the sun rises with overwhelming radiance, she feels its beams too strong and her song ends abruptly.
Chapter 19
An Hymn to the Evening
A poetic meditation on the beauty and grandeur of evening, invoking nature's imagery to inspire virtue, divine worship, and moral purity, ending with a prayer for restful sleep and a refined awakening.
Chapter 20
Isaiah 63:1–8
The chapter depicts a divine warrior, identified as the Almighty Saviour, returning from Edom with garments stained red from trampling the winepress of wrath. He alone has trodden the press, with no human aid, to atone for humanity's sins and execute divine judgment. The passage contrasts the fury of God against His foes with the serene security of Zion, who rests safely on His bosom despite all opposition.
Chapter 21
On Recollection
The poem invokes Mneme, the personification of memory, to inspire the poet's song. It explores memory's power to recall past deeds, both virtuous and vicious, and its role in moral judgment. The poet reflects on eighteen years of life, acknowledging past follies with shame and calling upon Virtue to guide future days. Memory is portrayed as a divine force that brings peace to the righteous and torment to the wicked.
Chapter 22
On Imagination
The poem celebrates the power of imagination, depicting it as an imperial queen that can transcend the physical world, create beauty even in winter, and command the passions. The speaker ultimately acknowledges the limits imposed by harsh reality, as winter's austerity forces the song to cease.
Chapter 23
A Funeral Poem on the Death of C. E. An Infant of Twelve Months
The poem describes the soul of an infant ascending to heaven, where angels welcome him to a divine abode. The child rejoices that God took him before he could be corrupted by vice or temptation. The speaker then addresses the grieving parents, urging them not to mourn excessively, as their child is now in a state of eternal bliss, and encourages them to look forward to reuniting with him in heaven.
Chapter 24
To Captain H⸺d, of the 65th Regiment
The poem praises Captain H⸺d, a Christian and a hero, whose valor and virtue are celebrated as he serves Britannia in the field of battle.
Chapter 25
To the Right Honourable William, Earl of Dartmouth, His Majesty’s Principal Secretary of State for North-America, etc.
Phillis Wheatley celebrates the appointment of the Earl of Dartmouth as Secretary of State for North America, praising the arrival of Freedom under his governance. She contrasts this hope with her own experience of being enslaved as a child, torn from her parents in Africa, and prays that others may never suffer tyranny. The poem concludes with a blessing for Dartmouth's eternal reward.
Chapter 26
Ode to Neptune
The speaker calls upon Neptune to calm the stormy sea as Susanna voyages to England, invoking the aid of sea deities and the sun god Sol. The poem expresses hope for a safe journey and a warm welcome in Britannia, ending with a prayer for Neptune to fulfill the wish.
Chapter 27
I
The chapter presents a series of riddles describing various objects: a bird that fed an army, a horned creature on British standards, and a green gem.
Chapter 28
II
The chapter describes a lively town of pleasure and courtship, and references a Dardan hero known for youth and beauty who was killed by a monarch.
Chapter 29
III
The chapter celebrates a figure who speaks out against violated laws and grievances, symbolizing a vanquished town that brings glory to Britannia.
Chapter 30
To a Lady on Her Coming to North-America with Her Son, for the Recovery of Her Health
The poem invokes the muse for inspiration to describe a lady traveling from Jamaica to North America for health reasons. It depicts her journey across the sea, her arrival in Philadelphia and Boston, and the joyful reunion with her husband upon her return, emphasizing themes of health, friendship, and familial love.
Chapter 31
To a Lady on Her Remarkable Preservation in an Hurricane in North-Carolina
The poem describes a hurricane's fury and a lady named Maria's miraculous preservation through divine intervention, emphasizing themes of mortality, divine providence, and gratitude for survival and reunion with family.
Chapter 32
To a Lady and Her Children, on the Death of Her Son and Their Brother
The poem mourns the death of a young man, addressing his mother and siblings. It describes the overwhelming grief of the family and the poor he supported, then shifts to a Christian consolation: the deceased has ascended to heavenly joys, and the living should cease their weeping and instead prepare to join him in eternal praise.
Chapter 33
To a Gentleman and Lady on the Death of the Lady’s Brother and Sister, and a Child of the Name of Avis, Aged One Year
The poem reflects on the universality of death, describing a scene where a brother, sister, and infant child lie dead. The speaker urges the grieving lady to set aside her sorrow, resign her loved ones to God's will, and find comfort in the child's ascension to heavenly bliss, where she invites the living to join her in immortal joy.
Chapter 34
On the Death of Dr. Samuel Marshall. 1771
The poem mourns the death of Dr. Samuel Marshall, a beloved physician and friend, whose passing leaves his family and community in deep grief. It reflects on his compassion, skill, and the void his death creates, while offering a glimmer of immortal hope.
Chapter 35
To a Gentleman on His Voyage to Great-Britain for the Recovery of His Health
The speaker addresses a gentleman (R—) who is traveling to Great Britain to recover his health. The poem contrasts typical poetic themes of idyllic scenes with a more urgent, personal plea for the healing powers of the sea and divine intervention. The speaker invokes the ocean's past miracles and ultimately acknowledges that true aid comes from God, the 'Ruler of the skies.'
Chapter 36
To the Rev. Dr. Thomas Amory, on Reading His Sermons on Daily Devotion, in Which That Duty Is Recommended and Assisted
The speaker praises Rev. Dr. Thomas Amory for his sermons that cultivate habitual grace and refined sentiments, inspiring virtue and exposing vice. The poem contrasts divine wisdom with atheistic notions of chance or self-made order, affirming God's providential guidance. It concludes with a blessing for Amory's eternal fame beyond this transitory life.
Chapter 37
On the Death of J. C. An Infant
A elegy mourning the death of an infant named J. C., describing the sorrow of the parents and the community, but ultimately offering consolation through Christian faith that the child has ascended to heaven and should be embraced as a divine gift rather than mourned excessively.
Chapter 38
An Hymn to Humanity
The poem celebrates the descent of divine Humanity to earth, inspiring virtue, friendship, and artistic creation. It addresses S.P.G. Esq., acknowledging his pity for the languid muse and the resulting inspiration that allows the poet to string her lyre, while affirming the enduring power of friendship and gratitude.
Chapter 39
I
The chapter presents a series of riddles describing various objects: a bird that fed an army, a horned creature on British standards, and a green gem.
Chapter 40
II
The chapter describes a lively town of pleasure and courtship, and references a Dardan hero known for youth and beauty who was killed by a monarch.
Chapter 41
III
The chapter celebrates a figure who speaks out against violated laws and grievances, symbolizing a vanquished town that brings glory to Britannia.
Chapter 42
IV
Susanna mourns as the narrator witnesses her tears at the hour of departure.
Chapter 43
V
The speaker observes a woman's grief and urges her not to sigh or groan on the speaker's behalf.
Chapter 44
Chapter VI
The speaker laments that despite the beauty of spring—the singing birds, blooming garden, and sweet perfumes—these joys are in vain, suggesting a sense of loss or sorrow that renders nature's pleasures meaningless.
Chapter 45
To the Honourable T. H. Esq.; On the Death of His Daughter
The poem addresses a grieving father, T. H., mourning the death of his daughter. It encourages him to find solace in recollection and the daughter's virtuous life, depicting her joyful ascent to heaven where she reunites with her spouse and urges her parents to look forward to eternal bliss.
Chapter 46
Niobe in Distress for Her Children Slain by Apollo, from Ovid’s Metamorphoses, Book VI and from a View of the Painting of Mr. Richard Wilson
The chapter recounts the myth of Niobe, the proud Phrygian queen who boasts of her many children and scorns the goddess Latona. In punishment, Apollo and Diana slay all of Niobe's sons and daughters. Niobe's hubris leads to utter devastation, and she is ultimately turned to stone, weeping eternally.
Chapter 47
To S. M. A Young African Painter, on Seeing His Works
Phillis Wheatley addresses the young African painter Scipio Moorhead, praising his artistic skill and encouraging him to pursue noble themes and immortal fame. She envisions a future beyond earthly life where both painter and poet will experience divine beauty and express purer, heavenly art.
Chapter 48
To His Honour the Lieutenant-Governor, on the Death of His Lady. March 24, 1773
The poem addresses Lieutenant-Governor Oliver on the death of his wife, consoling him by describing Death as a force that leads the virtuous to heavenly peace. It celebrates the deceased lady's virtue and her ascension to bliss, urging the governor to look beyond earthly grief and embrace spiritual hope.
Chapter 49
A Farewel to America. To Mrs. S. W.
The speaker bids farewell to New England's spring landscapes, mourning ill health and the sorrow of parting from Susanna. Despite the beauty of nature, the voyage to Britannia's shore brings hope of health, yet the speaker resists temptation and celebrates those whose heavenly shield protects them from harm.
Chapter 50
I
The chapter presents a series of riddles describing various objects: a bird that fed an army, a horned creature on British standards, and a green gem.
Chapter 51
II
The chapter describes a lively town of pleasure and courtship, and references a Dardan hero known for youth and beauty who was killed by a monarch.
Chapter 52
III
The chapter celebrates a figure who speaks out against violated laws and grievances, symbolizing a vanquished town that brings glory to Britannia.
Chapter 53
IV
Susanna mourns as the narrator witnesses her tears at the hour of departure.
Chapter 54
V
The speaker observes a woman's grief and urges her not to sigh or groan on the speaker's behalf.
Chapter 55
Chapter VI
The speaker laments that despite the beauty of spring—the singing birds, blooming garden, and sweet perfumes—these joys are in vain, suggesting a sense of loss or sorrow that renders nature's pleasures meaningless.
Chapter 56
VII
The chapter describes a voyage across the ocean toward Britannia's distant shore, with the travelers marveling at the vast expanse of the sea.
Chapter 57
VIII
The chapter personifies Health as a celestial, serene figure adorned with Hebe's mantle, bringing delight to the soul.
Chapter 58
IX
A brief poetic description of London shrouded in misty vapors that obscure the dawn's colors and beauty.
Chapter 59
X
The speaker implores Phoebus, the sun god, to hasten his journey across the sky so that they may behold a famous town, invoking the king of day for swift illumination.
Chapter 60
XI
The speaker expresses a willingness to leave New England for Britannia, finding joy in the prospect of seeing her divine charms again.
Chapter 61
XII
The speaker resists temptation, commanding it to depart and refusing to be seduced by its enchanting allure.
Chapter 62
XIII
A brief poetic reflection on the blessedness of those whose faith protects them from temptation, dated Boston, May 7, 1773.
Chapter 63
A Rebus, by I. B.
A rebus poem that uses riddles and wordplay to encode a town name, referencing a bird, a horned creature, a green gem, a town of gaiety, a Dardan hero, and a peer, ultimately celebrating Britannia's fame.
Chapter 64
I
The chapter presents a series of riddles describing various objects: a bird that fed an army, a horned creature on British standards, and a green gem.
Chapter 65
II
The chapter describes a lively town of pleasure and courtship, and references a Dardan hero known for youth and beauty who was killed by a monarch.
Chapter 66
III
The chapter celebrates a figure who speaks out against violated laws and grievances, symbolizing a vanquished town that brings glory to Britannia.
Chapter 67
An Answer to the Rebus, by the Author of These Poems
The poet responds to a rebus, demonstrating the obedience of the infant muse. The poem references the quail that fed Israel in the wilderness, the unicorn on Britain's royal standard, the emerald in regal crowns, the town of Boston, and alludes to Helen, Euphorbus, and the vanquished Quebec paying tribute to Britain.
Chapter 68
Endnotes
This chapter provides endnotes for the preceding poems and writings, offering brief clarifications on references such as the African birth of a subject, the repeal of the Stamp Act, the Countess of Huntingdon, and other allusions including Enoch, Elijah, and three daughters who died young.
