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| Fiddlers and Poets http://www.nelsonandhisworld.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=30 |
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| Author: | tycho [ Mon Mar 03, 2008 10:59 am ] |
| Post subject: | Fiddlers and Poets |
Nelson's comment about Naples, 'A country of fiddlers and poets, whores and scoundrels' is well-known; but being interested in language and changes of usage, I wondered why 'fiddlers' received the rough edge of his tongue. I explored a little further and found that 'fiddler' was 18th century slang for a trifler, a trivial person, which makes more sense in the context of the debauched Neapolitan court of the day. Poets, though: being a poetry lover, I wondered why they got a blast from Nelson as well. Despite his rather limited reading, he wasn't averse to penning a love poem to Emma. Maybe he felt (speculating wildly here!) that the Neapolitans were trivial poets as well, writing with affectation rather than sincerity. Poetry was for elevated thought and deep sentiments; to treat it casually was an offence against true feeling and honesty. The poet Gray sneered at 'baronets fumbling and poets small'. Just a thought. |
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