The Irish Poet and the Natural World: An Anthology of Verse in English from the Tudors to the Romantics

John Winstanley(?) (1677–1718–1750)

143 A popular street entertainment in eighteenth-century Dublin 1 city-dwellers. 2 JOHN WINSTANLEY(?) (1677–1718–1750) Ringsend, now a suburb of Dublin, was a rather rough seaside village in the early-eighteenth century, cut off from the city at high tide. However it boasted fine taverns and a good beach and was a favourite place for excursions from Dublin – particularly for women who hoped that stroking the captive dolphin, Jenny, would bring them an easy childbirth and good luck. It is not clear whether the bantering burlesque that follows – first published in January 1718 at the request of Jenny’s ‘lamenters’ – was the work of John Winstanley himself or of one of his poetaster friends. It is one of the entertaining Dublin poems later included in his anthology Poems Written Occasionally by John Winstanley ... interspers’d with many others ... by Several Ingenious Hands (Dublin, 1742). An ELEGY on the much lamented Death of JENNY the FISH, who departed this Life at Ring’s-End the 19th of January, 1718 If Ladies weep when petted Lap-dogs die, And Birds expiring make the Misses cry; What Grief may be expected in the Town, When it is told, that Rings-end Jenny’s gone? Long Puppet-Shews1 deserted were by Wits; She was the sole Amusement of our Citts;2 But, now she’s gone, their chief Diversion’s fled, And Time, like Jenny, on their Hands lies dead. We deem’d (delighted with the earthly Scene) She would, with us, a longer Space remain: 10 Howe’er, at first, her Landing on our Shore, We dreaded; now her Exit we deplore. No sure Presage of Evil, as we thought, But rather Blessing to our Isle she brought. A happy Omen to our Coasts she came, Her leaving us too soon, is all in her we blame. To guard us from Rebellion and Invasion She came, nor left us while there was Occasion: As Evils some strange Monsters have pursu’d, So others oft appear in Lands for Good. 20 144 How much did stroaking Jenny’s back dispose To Easy Birth, and help the Mother’s Throws?3 Let those her Virtues, who have try’d, proclaim, And Infants yet unborn shall praise her Name. In love to Human-kind she landed here, Against the last, (a bad Child-bearing Year.) Oh! never may the like return again! For Jenny best of Midwives, never can. Had Jenny on Egyptian Coast appear’d, In ancient Times they had her Form rever’d; 30 Rais’d Fanes4 in Honour; great Lucina’s5 Name, Had only now the Second been in Fame. Their Dogs and Cats no more had been obey’d; So fine a Fish had their Devotion sway’d. So soft! so sleek! so beautifully plump! Nine foot, at least, in length from Nose to Rump: Spotted it’s Skin, reflecting to the Eye, The Green and Azure of the Sea and Sky; Divinely mixt; no Bird or Beast e’er shew’d, A Neck so finely turn’d all Mouths allow’d. 40 Much Comfort Females by her Death have lost; But you it’s Keepers may lament it most: Much Profit Jenny to her Namesake brought,6 Who, for the Morrow, had no need of Thought, While Jenny liv’d; for th’ ready pence came in, As constant as the Morrow did begin. What Crouds of Citts and Coaches throng’d the Door? My L—d M—r at his Levy had not more:7 Yet let not too much Grief your Hearts invade, Nor while the Skin remains despair of Trade; 50 Tho’ of the Life the Body be bereft, There’s all that charm’d the Eyes of People left. throes. 3 temples. The Egyptians were famous for apotheosizing cats and dogs. 4 The goddess of childbirth in Roman religion and myth. 5 Presumably the name of the ‘keeper’ of the dolphin was also Jenny. 6 The Lord Mayor of Dublin held an annual ‘levee’ or reception to which many citizens 7 were invited. 145 John Winstanley(?) One great Advantage have Spectators too, The shyest, without Fear, may touch it now, Not as before, may view each Part on’t nigh, And to the full indulge their Curiosity. Nor Jilts have you, to take your Cully’s Treat, A less Pretence;8 the Skin’s a Wonder yet; You9 are it’s nearest Emblem...