To the Right Honourable William, Earl of Dartmou
This poem is a tribute to the Earl of Dartmouth, praising his efforts to improve the lives of enslaved Africans in North America. The speaker, Phillis Wheatley, expresses her gratitude and admiration for his benevolence, highlighting his role in promoting education and freedom among African Americans. She also addresses the Earl's reputation as a fair and just leader, contrasting him with those who have oppressed and mistreated enslaved people.
By Phillis Wheatley · First published 1773 · Genre: Poetry, Political Literature, Inspirational Literature · 482 words
First lines
Hail, happy day, when, smiling like the morn, Fair Freedom rose New-England to adorn: The northern clime beneath her genial ray, Dartmouth, congratulates thy blissful sway: Elate with hope her race no longer mourns, Each soul expands, each grateful bosom burns, While in thine hand with pleasure we behold
The silken reins, and Freedom's charms unfold.
What this Textopian page supports
To the Right Honourable William, Earl of Dartmouth, his Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for North-America, Etc is listed on Textopian as a poem by Phillis Wheatley, dated 1773 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Phillis Wheatley
- Date: 1773 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Political Literature, Inspirational Literature, Historical Literature, Personal Narrative
- Length: 482 words
- Structure: 1 section, 17 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for To the Right Honourable William, Earl of Dartmouth, his Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for North-America, Etc by Phillis Wheatley
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing poetic devices such as meter, rhyme, and imagery.
- Political Literature — The themes revolve around freedom, tyranny, and the political context of America during the time.
- Inspirational Literature — The text aims to inspire hope and gratitude for freedom and the common good.
- Historical Literature — It reflects the historical context of slavery and the quest for freedom in America.
Tags
Poetry · Pamphlet · Epistle · Colonialism · Slavery · African-American Literature · 18th Century Literature · American History · Politics · Satire · Social Commentary · Literary Satire
More by Phillis Wheatley
- To Maecenas (1733)
- On Virtue (1773)
- To the University of Cambridge, in New-England (1737)
- To the King's most Excellent Majesty. 1768 (1773)
- On being Brought from Africa to America (1773)
- On the Death of the Rev. Dr. Sewell. 1769 (1773)
- On the Death of the Rev. Mr. George Whitefield. 1770 (1770)
- On the Death of a Young Lady of Five Years of Age (1773)
- All works by Phillis Wheatley