Poetry · Chapter
The Gadfly explained
The speaker, having been stung by a gadfly, humorously and satirically imagines the gadfly's sting as a remedy for various annoyances and social ills, from a lame mare to a verbose parliamentarian, a lawyer's suit, a daughter's romantic fan
What happens
The speaker, having been stung by a gadfly, humorously and satirically imagines the gadfly's sting as a remedy for various annoyances and social ills, from a lame mare to a verbose parliamentarian, a lawyer's suit, a daughter's romantic fancies, and a scolding spouse, before returning to his main theme.
Themes in this chapter
Social Critique and Mortality
The poem uses the gadfly's sting as a metaphor to critique social nuisances and human follies, from political speechmaking to domestic scolding, blending humor with a pointed commentary on mortality and the triviality of daily grievances.
Characters to notice
- Unknown
The speaker who has been stung by the gadfly and delivers the satirical verses.
Key passages
“The Gadfly he hath stung me sore— O may he ne’er sting you!”
The gadfly has bitten me painfully; I hope you never experience the same.
The speaker introduces the gadfly's sting as a personal affliction.
“Has any here an old gray Mare With three legs all her store, O put it to her Buttocks bare And straight she’ll run on four.”
If anyone has a three-legged mare, apply the gadfly to her bare rump and she will run as if she had four legs.
A humorous suggestion that the gadfly's sting can cure a lame horse.
“Has any here a daughter fair Too fond of reading novels, Too apt to fall in love with care And charming Mister Lovels, O put a Gadfly to that thing She keeps so white and pert— I mean the finger for the ring, And it will breed a wort.”
If anyone has a daughter who reads too many novels and falls in love easily, apply a gadfly to her ring finger to raise a wart, as a deterrent.
Satirical advice on curing a young woman's romantic tendencies.