Freneau, Philip

Aiton's Encyclopedia (1910)

fre-no, Philip (1752-1832), an American poet of Revolutionary times. Freneau was born in New York City of French parentage. A graduate of Princeton, a school teacher, a student of theology and of law, a sea captain, an editor, a supporter of the cause of liberty during the Revolution,--his was a long and active life. At the age of eighty, he fell one stormy night on his way home from a gathering of friends, broke his hip, and died from exposure. Freneau belongs to the same period as Joel Barlow. His satires and journalistic writings excited a powerful influence during the Revolution, but have ceased to be of interest. His political poetry--his satires were in verse--is keen, original, and vigorous almost to roughness. He is sometimes called the "noisy sailor" on account of these characteristics. Freneau wrote a few lyrics, however, which possess the beauty and grace of true poetry. Among these should be mentioned Eutaw Springs, The Wild Honeysuckle, and The Indian Burying Ground. Critics regard him as the one writer of the Revolutionary period who deserves the name of poet. A stanza or two will give a glimpse of his ability in lyric poetry, and of his humor. The first stanzas satirize the New England Puritans: These exiles were formed in a whimsical mould, And were aw'd by their priests, like the Hebrews of old, Disclaim'd all pretences to jesting and laughter, And sigh'd their lives through, to be happy hereafter. On a crown immaterial their hearts were intent, They look'd towards Zion, wherever they went, Did all things in hopes of a future reward, And worry'd mankind--for the sake of the Lord. By midnight moons, o'er moistening dews, In habit for the chase arrayed, The hunter still the deer pursues, The hunter and the deer--a shade! --The Indian Burying Ground. At Eutaw Springs the valiant died: Their limbs with dust are covered o'er; Weep on, ye springs, your tearful tide; How many heroes are no more! . . . They saw their injured country's woe, The flaming town, the wasted field; Then rushed to meet the insulting foe; They took the spear--but left the shield. --Eutaw Springs.