Charles Lamb: English Essayist and Author Transcribes Poem by Jonathan Swift Composed in 1727 "Going To Be Hanged" (Clever Tom Clinch) (1775-1834) Lamb best known for his Essays of Elia (Elia being Lamb's pen name for London Magazine) and of course his children's book, "Tales from Shakespeare". What is being offered here is most unusual. This is a transcription of Jonathan Swift's "Going To Be Hanged" and is completely in Lamb's hand.
The poem is a satirical ballad written around 1727, detailing the procession of a man being led to execution at Tyburn, a notorious hanging site in London. It is noted for its dark humor and vivid, unsparing depiction of the execution spectacle. 'Tom Clinch' was a highwayman named Tom Cox, the younger son of a gentleman, who was hanged at Tyburn in 1691. There is also a transcription on the verso entitled The Power of Time. It comes with likely one of the oldest Letter of Authenticity or Provenance by a Robert Balmanno who "to make up for a leaf which had been torn and before it came to Eia's possession." All three pieces are fragile but very legible and arguably curious. Please do not hesitate to ask for individual close-ups
As clever Tom Clinch, while the rabble was bawling,
Rode stately through Holborn to die in his calling,
He stopt at the George for a bottle of sack,
And promised to pay for it when he came back.
His waistcoat, and stockings, and breeches, were white;
His cap had a new cherry ribbon to tie't.
The maids to the doors and the balconies ran,
And said, "Lack-a-day, he's a proper young man!"
But, as from the windows the ladies he spied,
Like a beau in the box, he bow'd low on each side!
And when his last speech the loud hawkers did cry,
He swore from his cart, "It was all a damn'd lie!"
The hangman for pardon fell down on his knee;
Tom gave him a kick in the guts for his fee:
Then said, I must speak to the people a little;
But I'll see you all damn'd before I will whittle.
My honest friend Wild (may he long hold his place)
He lengthen'd my life with a whole year of grace.
Take courage, dear comrades, and be not afraid,
Nor slip this occasion to follow your trade;
My conscience is clear, and my spirits are calm,
And thus I go off, without prayer-book or psalm;
Then follow the practice of clever Tom Clinch,
Who hung like a hero, and never would flinch.
Estimated Value $600 - 1,200
British Authors
