The Poems of John Byrom :: :: University of Virginia Library

The Point, Mr. Bl---k---n, disputed upon,—
“Whether Insects, or Herbs, were the Food of St John,”—
Is a singular Proof how a learnèd Pretence
Can prevail with some Folks over natural Sense,—

478

So consistent with Herbs, as you know was allow'd.
But the Dust that is rais'd by a critical crowd
Has so blinded their Eyes, that plain, simple Truth
Is obscur'd by a Posse of Classics, forsooth!

II

Diodorus and Strabo, Solinus and Ælian,
And Authorities down from the Aristotelian,
Have mention'd whole Clans that were wont to subsist,
In the East, upon Locusts as big as your Fist.
“Ergo, so did the Baptist.”—Now, were it all true
That Reporters affirm (but not one of them knew),—
What follows but Hear-say how Savages eat,
And how Locusts sometimes are Necessity's Meat?

III

If, amongst their old Tales, they had chanc'd to determine
That the Jews were accustom'd to feed on these Vermin,
It would have been something; or, did they produce
Any one single Hermit that stor'd them for Use,
Having pick'd 'em and dried 'em, and smok'd in the Sun,
(For this, before eating, they tell us was done),

479

The Example were patter than any they bring
To support such an awkward, improbable Thing,

IV

Hermitical Food the poetical Tribe
Of Classics have happen'd sometimes to describe:
And their native Descriptions are constantly found
To relate, in some Shape, to the Fruits of the Ground.
If exception occurs, one may venture to say,
That the Locust Conceit never came in their Way,—
Or let its Defender declare, if he knows,
Any one single Instance, in Verse or in Prose!

V

“But the Word which the Text has made Use of,” 'tis said,
“Means the animal Locust, wherever 'tis read,—
Of a Species which Jews were permitted to eat.
There is therefore no Need of a plantal Conceit,
Of Tops, Summits, or Buds, Pods, or Berries of Trees;
For to this,” the sole Proof is, “no Classic agrees;
And the Latin ‘Locustæ’ came only from want
Of Attention to signify ‘Tops of a Plant.’”

VI

It would take up a Volume to clear the Mistakes
Which, in this single Case, classic Prejudice makes,
Thro' Attachment to Writers who pass a Relation
Which others had sign'd without Examination;—
As the Authors have done who have read and have writ
That Locusts are Food which the Law did permit;

480

And the Place which they quote for a Proof that it did,
Is one that will prove them expressly forbid.

VII

I appeal to the Hebrew, and for the Greek Word
To the twenty-first Iliad, where once it occurr'd,
And where the old Prince of the Classics, one sees,
Never once thought of Insects, but Branches of Trees,
As the Context evinces; tho', all to a Man,
Translators adopt the Locustical Plan.
How the Latin “Locustæ” should get a wrong Sense
Is their Business to prove who object the Pretence.

481

VIII

But the classical Greek, tho' it often confirm,
Cannot always explain, a New Testament Term,
Any more than an Old one; and, therefore (to pass
All Authorities by of a paganish Class)
Let them ask the Greek Fathers, who full as well knew
Their own Tongue and the Gospel, which Meaning is true?
But for “Insects” to find a plain Proof in their Greek
Will cut a Librarian out Work for a Week.

IX

For “Herbs” here is one, which, unless it is match'd,
Ought to carry this Question as fairly dispatch'd.
Isidorus, Greek Father of critical Fame,
Has a Letter concerning this very Greek Name,
Dismissing the Doubt which a Querist had got,
“If the Baptist did eat Animalcules or not?”
“God Forbid,” says the Father, “a Thing so absurd!
‘The Summits of Plants’ is the Sense of the Word.”

X

Such an ancient Decision, so quite à propos,
Disperses at once all the Classical Show
Of a Learning that builds upon Africa's East
And the Traunts, how wild People were fabl'd to feast

482

Upon fancied huge Locusts, which never appear—
Or huge or unhuge—but five Months in the Year,
To be hoarded, and pickled in Salt and in Smoke.—
How Saint John is employ'd by these critical Folk!

XI

Where the Locust could feed, such an abstinent Saint
Of Food for his Purpose could never have Want.
If the Desert was sandy and made such a Need,
How account for the Locusts descending to feed?
In short, Mr. Bl---k---n, they cannot escape
The Charge of “absurd,” in all Manner of Shape.
If they can, let them do it! Meanwhile, I conclude
That St. John's was the plantal, not animal, Food.

XII

Thus, Sir, I have stated, as brief as I'm able,
The friendly Debate that we had at your Table;
Where the kind Entertainer, I found, was inclin'd,—
And acknowledge the Pleasure,—to be of my Mind;
Having only to add, now I make my Report,
That, howe'er we may differ in Points of this Sort,
Our Reception at Orford all pleas'd we review,
And rejoice in the Health of its Master.—

Adieu!