# An Answer to the Rebus, by the Author of These Poems explained — Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral > Chapter companion for Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral by Phillis Wheatley. ## What happens 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. ## Themes in this chapter ### Classical and Biblical Allusion The poem uses biblical references (quail feeding Israel) and classical allusions (Helen, Euphorbus of the Dardan line) to enrich its meaning. ### Freedom and Enslavement The reference to Quebec being vanquished and forced to pay tribute to Britain touches on themes of conquest and subjugation. ## Character check-ins ### Phillis Wheatley The poet who cannot refuse to answer the rebus, showing the obedience of the infant muse. ### Israel Israel's army was fed by the quail in the dreary waste. ### Britannia Britain's royal standard bears the unicorn, and Quebec must pay tribute to Britain of immortal fame. ## Key lines > The poet asks, and Phillis can’t refuse To show th’ obedience of the Infant muse. The poet requests, and Phillis cannot decline to demonstrate the submission of her young poetic inspiration. _Phillis Wheatley acknowledges her role as a poet obliged to respond._ > She knows the Quail of most inviting taste Fed Israel’s army in the dreary waste; She is aware that the delicious quail nourished the army of Israel in the barren wilderness. _Biblical reference to God providing quail for the Israelites in the desert._ > And what’s on Britain’s royal standard borne, But the tall, graceful, rampant Unicorn? And what is carried on Britain's royal flag but the tall, elegant, rearing unicorn? _Reference to the unicorn as a heraldic symbol of the British monarchy._ > The Emerald with a vivid verdure glows Among the gems which regal crowns compose; The emerald shines with a bright green color among the jewels that make up royal crowns. _Describes the emerald's place in royal regalia._ > Boston’s a town, polite and debonair, To which the beaux and beauteous nymphs repair, Each Helen strikes the mind with sweet surprise, While living lightning flashes from her eyes. Boston is a refined and elegant town where fashionable men and beautiful women gather; each woman like Helen of Troy amazes the mind, and her eyes flash with lively brilliance. _Portrays Boston as a cultured social hub with beautiful women compared to Helen._ > See young Euphorbus of the Dardan line By Manelaus’ hand to death resign: Behold young Euphorbus, a Trojan of the line of Dardanus, killed by Menelaus's hand. _Classical allusion to the Trojan War, where Euphorbus was slain by Menelaus._ > Quebec now vanquish’d must obey, She too much annual tribute pay To Britain of immortal fame. And add new glory to her name. Quebec, now conquered, must submit and pay an annual tribute to Britain, which has immortal fame, and thus add to Britain's glory. _Refers to the British victory over Quebec and the subsequent tribute._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poems_on_various_subjects_religious_and_moral_se/chapters/an-answer-to-the-rebus-by-the-author-of-these-poems - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poems_on_various_subjects_religious_and_moral_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poems_on_various_subjects_religious_and_moral_se/chapters