Record

Document Reference	Pw V 1257
Title	MS poem, entitled 'Abigalls Lamentation for the Loss of Harley', by William Walsh; n.d. but circa 1708.
Date	1708 (c)
Extent	1 f
Level	Item/file
Content Description	The poem consists of 40 lines in rhyming couplets. The MS has the word 'Imperfect' written below the title,possibly because the verses were left unfinished by Walsh's death only a month after the events described in this poem. The poem is a satirical elegy about the dismissal of Harley from parliament in February 1708 and the resignation of other Harleyites. The poem ascribes the dismissal to an unsuccessful struggle with Marlborough. The poem is in epic imitation of Homer and of Horace, with mock-epic deflation.
Title Of Work	Abigalls Lamentation for the Loss of Harley, Taken from the Greek by Mr. Walsh
First Line of Poem	Now Phoebus did with frowns ye World Survey
Last Line of Poem	And Cardiffs Cliffs obscur'd Ramilias field
Language	English
Physical Description	Single folio leaf
Condition	Fragile, top quarter almost detached
Descriptive Features	Countermark: Letters EB, 11 x 24 mm
Related Material	Crum, Index, N 545
	Bodleian Library, Oxford, MS Ballard 47, f 85
	Bodleian Library, Oxford, Top. Oxon. c 108, p 69
	University of Nottingham Library:
Publication Note	Poems on Affairs of State, vol VII (1975), pp 302-5

Persons

Code	PersonName	Dates of existence
NA72697	Masham; Abigail (-1734); Mrs; née Hill: supporter of Robert Harley at court	-1734
NA893	Harley; Robert (1661-1724); 1st Earl of Oxford and Mortimer; M.P.; speaker 1701-1705; P.M. 1711-1714	1661-1724
NA31172	Harcourt; Simon (c.1661-1727); 1st Viscount Harcourt; cr. Baron Harcourt 1711; cr. Viscount Harcourt 1721; M.P.; barrister; solicitor general 1702-1707; attorney general 1707-1708; Lord Chancellor 1713-14	c.1661-1727
NA28983	Spencer; Charles (c.1674-1722); 3rd Earl of Sunderland; statesman and bibliophile	c.1674-1722
NA19276	Godolphin; Sidney (1645-1712); 1st Earl of Godolphin; M.P.; Lord High Treasurer 1702-1710	1645-1712
NA10323	Hanmer; Thomas (1677-1746); 4th Baronet; Speaker of House of Commons 1714-15	1677-1746
NA29237	Gower; John Leveson- (1675-1709); 1st Baron Gower; succ. as Baronet Gower 1691; cr. 1703; M.P.; chancellor of Duchy of Lancaster 1702-1706	1675-1709
NA488	Holles; John (1662-1711); 3rd Duke of Newcastle upon Tyne; cr. Duke of Newcastle upon Tyne 1694, 1st Duke of second creation; also 4th Earl of Clare	1662-1711
NA19002	St John; Henry (1678-1751); 1st Viscount Bolingbroke; statesman	1678-1751
NA29686	Butler; James (1665-1745); 2nd Duke of Ormonde; succ. 1688; formerly styled Earl of Ossory; Jacobite; impeached and attainted 1715	1665-1745
NA72911	Walsh; William (1663-1708); Mr; poet	1663-1708
NA72718	Finch; Heneage (-1719); 1st Earl of Aylsford; cr. Baron Guernsey 1703; cr. 1st Earl of Aylesford 1714; appointed solicitor general 1678	-1719