The Lyric League (Poem by William Hodgson Ellis)

The Lyric League *

By William Hodgson Ellis

We be seventy Lyric Poets,

All in the Fatherland,

Our verse is delightful, although its

Not easy to understand.

We’re the flower and crown of the nation,

The crown and flower of the earth,

But we find our remuneration

Inadequate to our worth.

We sing of “Sehnsucht” and “Trauer,”

“Die Liebe,” “Das Herz” and “Die Welt,”

But leider, we haven’t the power,

To sing from the public “Das Geld.”

The plumbers have their Union,

Fast joined the joiners keep,

And sweep hold dark communion,

With sooty brother sweep.

The motormen and switchmen,

The very firemen band,

Alone against the richmen,

The Poets helpless stand.

A fig for the Philistine slander,

Let’s cut from all precedent loose,

What’s sauce for the bus-driving gander,

Is sauce for the quill-driving goose.

We’ll found (because empty our purse is)

A Lyrische Dichterverein;

And we won’t write any more verses,

Under 50 pfennig a line.**

Notes:

* “Seventy lyric poets in Germany have formed a trade’s union, and agreed not to sell their verses for less than half a mark a line.” — Daily paper.

** The author encloses his name and address, not for publication, but in order that the editor may know where to send the three dollars and thirty-six cents — twenty-eight lines at twelve cents.

Poem Analysis:

William Hodgson Ellis, in his satirical poem "The Lyric League," humorously portrays the plight of lyric poets in the Fatherland (Germany) and their struggle for recognition and financial compensation. Let's delve into an analysis of this witty and insightful piece:

The Plight of the Poet: Ellis sets the stage by introducing the seventy lyric poets, who pride themselves as the "flower and crown of the nation" but lament their inadequate remuneration. Through their verses, they explore themes such as "Sehnsucht" (longing), "Trauer" (sorrow), and "Die Liebe" (love), yet they struggle to earn a living from their craft.

Satirical Tone: The poem adopts a satirical tone, poking fun at the poets' perceived self-importance and the disconnect between their artistic aspirations and financial reality. Ellis highlights the irony of poets who excel in expressing profound emotions but fail to navigate the practicalities of earning a livelihood.

Class Struggle and Solidarity: Ellis draws attention to the disparity between the poets and other laborers, such as plumbers, joiners, and sweepers, who are organized in unions and advocate for their rights. The poets, however, stand alone against the wealthy elite, highlighting a theme of class struggle and the need for solidarity among artists.

Challenging Convention: The poem challenges conventional notions of artistic value and economic reward. Ellis suggests that poets should break free from traditional constraints and demand fair compensation for their work, just as other laborers do. The comparison between "bus-driving gander" and "quill-driving goose" underscores the poets' desire for equal treatment.

Founding the Lyric Poets' Association: In a humorous twist, Ellis proposes the establishment of a Lyrische Dichterverein (Lyric Poets' Association) to address the poets' financial woes. By refusing to write verses for less than 50 pfennig a line, the poets assert their value and demand recognition for their contributions to society.

Critique of Philistinism: The poem implicitly critiques Philistine attitudes toward art and culture, suggesting that society undervalues the artistic endeavors of poets. By advocating for fair compensation, Ellis challenges the notion that art should be pursued solely for its intrinsic value, without regard for the economic realities faced by artists.

Humorous Resignation: Despite the serious undertones, Ellis maintains a sense of humor throughout the poem, as evidenced by the poets' tongue-in-cheek resignation to their fate. The absurdity of founding an association to demand higher pay reflects the poets' frustration with their situation while also eliciting laughter from the reader.

In conclusion, "The Lyric League" by William Hodgson Ellis offers a witty critique of the challenges faced by lyric poets in balancing artistic expression with financial necessity. Through humor and satire, Ellis highlights the absurdity of a society that fails to adequately value the contributions of its artists, while also advocating for solidarity and fair compensation among creative laborers.