Poetry · Chapter
Comic Lines explained
A playful and satirical roll call of various characters, highlighting their distinctive quirks and ailments, with a focus on the poet's amused observation of their antics.
What happens
A playful and satirical roll call of various characters, highlighting their distinctive quirks and ailments, with a focus on the poet's amused observation of their antics.
Themes in this chapter
Melancholy and Reflection
The poet's detached, amused observation of others' physical and emotional reactions suggests a reflective, slightly melancholic view of human folly.
Characters to notice
- Helen
Mentioned as 'handy Nelly' in the list of those affected by the poet's presence.
- Gentle Mistress Anne
Referred to as 'fat Nanny' who sighs for the poet.
Key passages
“Weddell attends your call, and Palgrave proud, Stonehewer the lewd, and Delaval the loud.”
Weddell responds to your summons, along with the proud Palgrave, the lewd Stonehewer, and the loud Delaval.
The poet lists various individuals who come when called, each with a distinctive trait.
“For thee does Powell squeeze, and Marriot sputter, And Glynn cut phizzes, and Tom Neville stutter.”
For you, Powell squeezes, Marriot sputters, Glynn makes faces, and Tom Neville stutters.
Each person reacts physically or verbally in a characteristic way because of the poet's influence.
“Brown sees thee sitting on his nose’s tip, The Widow feels thee in her aching hip;”
Brown imagines you perched on the tip of his nose, and the Widow senses you in her painful hip.
The poet's presence is felt as a physical sensation or hallucination by different people.
“For thee fat Nanny sighs, and handy Nelly, And Balguy with a bishop in his belly.”
For you, fat Nanny sighs, and handy Nelly, and Balguy who has a bishop inside his stomach.
Even those with peculiar conditions, like Balguy's imagined internal bishop, are affected by the poet.