Martha and George Washington‘Washington Departs from Mount Vernon’: from the Mock Epic Poem by Andrew Benson Brown The Society July 28, 2024 Epic, Humor, Poetry 20 Comments . Washington Departs from Mount Vernon from Legends of Liberty, Volume 3 “Wouldn’t you rather stay?” Watching her doveOf sixteen summers, Martha’s hazels, tearingAway from patriarchal pupils, doveBelow to scan the roses. Turning, tearingUp, she observed the clear Potomac wind.Pale bluish grays, so often hard as lead,Had softened, tracking her in gentle wind.She’d follow where her husband’s voice would lead,But cast a piercing gaze when he said, “Aye,”To catch what differs to the ear, but not the eye. Jason’s appearance to the sorceress,Medea, had less radiant appeal:Alluring in his bearing and his dress,George towered over Martha’s form, the steelOf steady eyes aglow with inner fire.His reddish hair was burning in the dawn.“Of course I’d like to stay. Even retireInto the backwoods, rather, and be doneWith this.” His smile decayed. His pocked complexionWas scarred with tenderness. His sharp eyes shot affection. George had been wounded deep by Cupid’s aero-Dynamic archery just once—and thatHad happened long ago. When Martha’s auraAppeared, the chubby cherub, dozing, satOn clouds and didn’t set his bow in motion.This world was far from heaven’s high abode.Life’s cup was not a honeyed lover’s potion,But full of wolfsbane, eye of newt, and toad—A witches’ brew. Not tales that poets sing.Good livelihood, nice dispositions—that’s the thing. “The backwoods?” Martha grimaced as she smoothedA wrinkle on his azure riding cloak.“What nonsense.” Small and dainty fingers soothedHuge hands made coarse from thorns and oxen yokes,Seeding a charm within. —“What’s this, my beauty?”Palms, blooming sunward, glowed—a golden locket?—“To warm you with your mistress.” (Madame Duty’sMattress is cold.) He slipped it in his pocket.“Don’t make me plant you under this rosebush.”—“Have faith in providence.” The matron muted: “Shush.” His lips drew close to hers…then Billy Lee,His valet, rode in view, pulling the reinsOf a white stallion close behind. As shePuckered, he paused, then kissed the summer plainsThat spanned her head—dry grasses, brown and blowing.From the piazza, Jacky (Martha’s lastDear child) approached. She sighed. “Alright, get going.”Washington climbed his horse and trotted past.“Virginian!” (Turning.) “Don’t forget to write.”With a graceful nod, he rode into the morning light. His splendor sank from view as Sirius,The Dog Star, hanging low and faint behindThem, glimmered in the south, mysteriousAbove the bright and ripened groves that linedThe paths to the estate. As a frontierWoman will stoke small flames and sing a hymnAbout the Virgin, hoping her austereHearth will be favored, nestling warm at home,Then feels the fire die without a blessing,So Martha’s thoughts turned dark, her smile a window dressing. . . Andrew Benson Brown has had poems and reviews published in a few journals. His epic-in-progress, Legends of Liberty, will chronicle the major events of the American Revolution if he lives to complete it. Though he writes history articles for American Essence magazine, he lists his primary occupation on official forms as ‘poet.’ He is, in other words, a vagabond. NOTE TO READERS: If you enjoyed this poem or other content, please consider making a donation to the Society of Classical Poets. The Society of Classical Poets does not endorse any views expressed in individual poems or commentary. Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to print (Opens in new window)Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)Trending now: 20 Responses Michael Pietrack July 28, 2024 Blue-gray, lead, piercing, steel, steady, sharp — all descriptions of Washington’s eyes. These are particularly powerful and help frame the character in the reader’s mind. Good on ya mate. Reply ABB July 29, 2024 Aye-aye, captain! Reply James Sale July 28, 2024 We learn from great poetry – all sorts of things – but technique is not the least of them: But cast a piercing gaze when he said, “Aye,” / To catch what differs to the ear, but not the eye. That mimetic effect – rhyming Aye with eye – is stunning; and for an extract from a mock-epic poem the final couplet too is genius: Then feels the fire die without a blessing, / So Martha’s thoughts turned dark, her smile a window dressing. Suddenly the humour is semi-consumed with an ominous aftertaste. Marvellous imagery. Reply ABB July 29, 2024 Thanks, James. Got the idea from reading Stephen Fry when he starts talking about eye rhymes in OLT. A treasure trove there. And ending with a good epic simile mixes in some poignancy to the comedy. Reply Mary Gardner July 28, 2024 Andrew, as before, you have employed uplifting poetic form and brilliant wording. I look forward to reading Volume 3. I think “Legends of Liberty” is an epic, rather than a mock epic. Reply ABB July 30, 2024 Glad you appreciate the epic elements, Mary. There are a lot of absurd scenes and characters, though, so it does tilt in the ‘mock’ direction. With Washington’s presence, it’s kind of like how in comedies you will have the one character who plays it straight to give a relief from the zaniness. Reply Brian A. Yapko July 28, 2024 This is a hugely enjoyable excerpt from Legends of Liberty, part 3 which makes me want more. What I especially like about this piece is the carefully described relationship between George and Martha — their humanness with no indication that they are to become national icons. The poetry is first-rate. I especially liked the observent, cynical lines: “This world was far from heaven’s high abode./Life’s cup was not a honeyed lover’s potion,/But full of wolfsbane, eye of newt, and toad—/A witches’ brew…” Cynical, yes, but not unearned or inaccurate. And deeply unexpected. The story you depict is not without mythology — it’s just not the mythology we’re used to. And that makes it so very fresh. One thing I admire about your work — we always see what we thought was familiar through fresh eyes. Reply ABB July 30, 2024 Much thanks for your observations, Brian. Regarding the not inaccurate cynicism, I embellished Washington’s own view on marriage—that it should be a bond rooted in practicality rather than the flights of romantic love. I have several pages of footnotes to these sections that I omitted in sending to Evan, but perhaps should not have. But in a letter to his step-grandchild, Elizabeth Parke Custis, 14 September 1794, Washington gave this advice: “Do not … look for perfect felicity before you consent to wed. — Nor conceive, from the fine tales the Poets and lovers of old have told us, of the transports of mutual love, that heaven has taken its abode on earth. — Nor do not deceive yourself in supposing, that the only mean by which these are to be obtained, is to drink deep of the cup, and revel in an ocean of love.” He then writes that the most necessary ingredient for matrimonial happiness is “good sense, good dispositions, and the means of supporting you in the way you have been brought up.” Reply Susan Jarvis Bryant July 28, 2024 ABB, I always look forward to the twists and turns in a poetic tale from your good self… and in this one, it’s those flamboyant flourishes and linguistic winks I’m drawn to. Your deft use of homonyms in stanza one (with the only rhyming homonyms in the closing couplet) has me smiling. “To catch what differs to the ear, but not the eye.” is a cheeky and charming touch that reveals the marvel of your magic. Very well done, indeed! Reply ABB July 30, 2024 Thanks, Susan. Flamboyant flourishes are essential to making literature pleasurable, as you know. Reply Roy Eugene Peterson July 28, 2024 I am running out of accolades for your amazing heroic epic. Words like “fantastic,” “fabulous,” and “phenomenal” barely scratch the surface. Maybe there is a better word for “mock.” A first glance by an uninformed reader might make them think of “mocking” George Washington. Maybe something like “mythical,” “fabled,” or “creative” would be a better fit. Reply ABB July 30, 2024 That’s exactly what modern people tend to think when they hear the term ‘mock-epic.’ Don’t like it, but it is the established term. When I’m talking with people I just dispense with hair-splitting and say ‘epic’ for convenience. Reply Joseph S. Salemi July 28, 2024 Beautiful Spenserian stanzas, to be sure. Many of the rhymes are quite daring as well as striking: “dove – dove” (same spelling but different meaning and sound), “dawn — done”, “aero — aura”, “rosebush — Shush”, “Sirius — mysterious”. There’s just enough of this near-rhyme to add a slight asymmetrical buzz to the narrative. Reply ABB July 31, 2024 Great observations as always. I think a bit of asymmetry keeps the lines from becoming too predictable. Also, in a long poem I’m faced with the problem of trying to avoid repeating rhymes, and near rhymes help this. I do prefer to keep the near rhymes near. I especially like the ‘perfect-imperfect’ rhymes of the sort Wilfred Owen used. Reply Margaret Coats July 29, 2024 Andrew, this is “mock” with the vengeance of your unique personal style. Here you call to mind the classic mock epic “Rape of the Lock,” with a sharp focus revising those eyes so central to love poetry in almost any era. And the picture of George and Martha reveals far more than all-too-common imperfections of “American Gothic.” Retiring to the backwoods is a classic American dream, but you can build Mount Vernon itself, not just a log cabin, from ramshackle cliches, and paint historical morning light in the background. Reply ABB August 2, 2024 Love Pope, glad it brings to mind the association. The number of possible ways to talk about eyes can never be exhausted. Reply Cynthia Erlandson July 29, 2024 “Cupid’s aero- / Dynamic archery” . . . What could be more clever and fun? It almost seems like there should be a name for that kind of syllabic division. Anyway, great poem, with ineresting psychological analysis of the Washingtons. Reply ABB August 2, 2024 I think the term is ‘enjambment with a split rhyme,’ but that does cry out for something punchier. Reply Daniel Kemper August 3, 2024 Much discussion we have had offline and much to come, so I’ll just flit around this a bit. I really enjoy how you wander from primitive America back into the realm of ancient legend and bring it back again via cupid. Bringing the reader round to the conclusion of the section via the Dog Star was a great story-teller’s touch. I also found something quite Miltonic about it. Finally, it’s just great to relax and appreciate what wonderful human beings these people were. Reply Sally Cook August 5, 2024 Dear ABB = The mix of reality and delight make a perfect poem. Perfect! Thanks for communing with us mere mortals. Nothing mock here. Reply Leave a Reply Cancel ReplyYour email address will not be published.CommentName* Email* Website Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Notify me of new posts by email. Δ This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Michael Pietrack July 28, 2024 Blue-gray, lead, piercing, steel, steady, sharp — all descriptions of Washington’s eyes. These are particularly powerful and help frame the character in the reader’s mind. Good on ya mate. Reply
James Sale July 28, 2024 We learn from great poetry – all sorts of things – but technique is not the least of them: But cast a piercing gaze when he said, “Aye,” / To catch what differs to the ear, but not the eye. That mimetic effect – rhyming Aye with eye – is stunning; and for an extract from a mock-epic poem the final couplet too is genius: Then feels the fire die without a blessing, / So Martha’s thoughts turned dark, her smile a window dressing. Suddenly the humour is semi-consumed with an ominous aftertaste. Marvellous imagery. Reply
ABB July 29, 2024 Thanks, James. Got the idea from reading Stephen Fry when he starts talking about eye rhymes in OLT. A treasure trove there. And ending with a good epic simile mixes in some poignancy to the comedy. Reply
Mary Gardner July 28, 2024 Andrew, as before, you have employed uplifting poetic form and brilliant wording. I look forward to reading Volume 3. I think “Legends of Liberty” is an epic, rather than a mock epic. Reply
ABB July 30, 2024 Glad you appreciate the epic elements, Mary. There are a lot of absurd scenes and characters, though, so it does tilt in the ‘mock’ direction. With Washington’s presence, it’s kind of like how in comedies you will have the one character who plays it straight to give a relief from the zaniness. Reply
Brian A. Yapko July 28, 2024 This is a hugely enjoyable excerpt from Legends of Liberty, part 3 which makes me want more. What I especially like about this piece is the carefully described relationship between George and Martha — their humanness with no indication that they are to become national icons. The poetry is first-rate. I especially liked the observent, cynical lines: “This world was far from heaven’s high abode./Life’s cup was not a honeyed lover’s potion,/But full of wolfsbane, eye of newt, and toad—/A witches’ brew…” Cynical, yes, but not unearned or inaccurate. And deeply unexpected. The story you depict is not without mythology — it’s just not the mythology we’re used to. And that makes it so very fresh. One thing I admire about your work — we always see what we thought was familiar through fresh eyes. Reply
ABB July 30, 2024 Much thanks for your observations, Brian. Regarding the not inaccurate cynicism, I embellished Washington’s own view on marriage—that it should be a bond rooted in practicality rather than the flights of romantic love. I have several pages of footnotes to these sections that I omitted in sending to Evan, but perhaps should not have. But in a letter to his step-grandchild, Elizabeth Parke Custis, 14 September 1794, Washington gave this advice: “Do not … look for perfect felicity before you consent to wed. — Nor conceive, from the fine tales the Poets and lovers of old have told us, of the transports of mutual love, that heaven has taken its abode on earth. — Nor do not deceive yourself in supposing, that the only mean by which these are to be obtained, is to drink deep of the cup, and revel in an ocean of love.” He then writes that the most necessary ingredient for matrimonial happiness is “good sense, good dispositions, and the means of supporting you in the way you have been brought up.” Reply
Susan Jarvis Bryant July 28, 2024 ABB, I always look forward to the twists and turns in a poetic tale from your good self… and in this one, it’s those flamboyant flourishes and linguistic winks I’m drawn to. Your deft use of homonyms in stanza one (with the only rhyming homonyms in the closing couplet) has me smiling. “To catch what differs to the ear, but not the eye.” is a cheeky and charming touch that reveals the marvel of your magic. Very well done, indeed! Reply
ABB July 30, 2024 Thanks, Susan. Flamboyant flourishes are essential to making literature pleasurable, as you know. Reply
Roy Eugene Peterson July 28, 2024 I am running out of accolades for your amazing heroic epic. Words like “fantastic,” “fabulous,” and “phenomenal” barely scratch the surface. Maybe there is a better word for “mock.” A first glance by an uninformed reader might make them think of “mocking” George Washington. Maybe something like “mythical,” “fabled,” or “creative” would be a better fit. Reply
ABB July 30, 2024 That’s exactly what modern people tend to think when they hear the term ‘mock-epic.’ Don’t like it, but it is the established term. When I’m talking with people I just dispense with hair-splitting and say ‘epic’ for convenience. Reply
Joseph S. Salemi July 28, 2024 Beautiful Spenserian stanzas, to be sure. Many of the rhymes are quite daring as well as striking: “dove – dove” (same spelling but different meaning and sound), “dawn — done”, “aero — aura”, “rosebush — Shush”, “Sirius — mysterious”. There’s just enough of this near-rhyme to add a slight asymmetrical buzz to the narrative. Reply
ABB July 31, 2024 Great observations as always. I think a bit of asymmetry keeps the lines from becoming too predictable. Also, in a long poem I’m faced with the problem of trying to avoid repeating rhymes, and near rhymes help this. I do prefer to keep the near rhymes near. I especially like the ‘perfect-imperfect’ rhymes of the sort Wilfred Owen used. Reply
Margaret Coats July 29, 2024 Andrew, this is “mock” with the vengeance of your unique personal style. Here you call to mind the classic mock epic “Rape of the Lock,” with a sharp focus revising those eyes so central to love poetry in almost any era. And the picture of George and Martha reveals far more than all-too-common imperfections of “American Gothic.” Retiring to the backwoods is a classic American dream, but you can build Mount Vernon itself, not just a log cabin, from ramshackle cliches, and paint historical morning light in the background. Reply
ABB August 2, 2024 Love Pope, glad it brings to mind the association. The number of possible ways to talk about eyes can never be exhausted. Reply
Cynthia Erlandson July 29, 2024 “Cupid’s aero- / Dynamic archery” . . . What could be more clever and fun? It almost seems like there should be a name for that kind of syllabic division. Anyway, great poem, with ineresting psychological analysis of the Washingtons. Reply
ABB August 2, 2024 I think the term is ‘enjambment with a split rhyme,’ but that does cry out for something punchier. Reply
Daniel Kemper August 3, 2024 Much discussion we have had offline and much to come, so I’ll just flit around this a bit. I really enjoy how you wander from primitive America back into the realm of ancient legend and bring it back again via cupid. Bringing the reader round to the conclusion of the section via the Dog Star was a great story-teller’s touch. I also found something quite Miltonic about it. Finally, it’s just great to relax and appreciate what wonderful human beings these people were. Reply
Sally Cook August 5, 2024 Dear ABB = The mix of reality and delight make a perfect poem. Perfect! Thanks for communing with us mere mortals. Nothing mock here. Reply