Quodlibets, Lately Come Over from New Britaniola, Old Newfoundland

by David Reynolds (Adapter), Robert Hayman

Quodlibets, by Robert Hayman, is quite likely the first work of English poetry penned in North America. Hayman composed this collection of witty verses during his service as governor of the English colony in Harbour Grace, Newfoundland. Containing original poetry in addition to his translations of pieces by John Owen and Francois Rabelais, Hayman's poetic insight reflects on faith and the church, thieves and knaves, good wives and whores, as well as the beauty of Newfoundland's rugged landscape. This is a saucy appeal from an adventurer's soul, beckoning others to settle in Newfoundland. This edition has been adapted and introduced by David Reynolds.

106 pages, Paperback

First published February 20, 2013

About the author

Dave Reynolds studied at Memorial University where he completed his BA in Philosophy and English Language and Literature in 2006 in addition to completing his MPhil in Humanities in 2008. His graduate research focused on the cultural significance of superhero narratives and culminated in his dissertation Superheroes: An Analysis of Popular Culture's Modern Myths. Presently, Dave enjoys teaching English at Memorial University. His other research interests include moral philosophy, justice, semiotics, rhetorical persuasion, and various forms of popular culture.

Reviews

[Pierre Goguen · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is apparently “the first work of English poetry penned in North America.” Hayman’s “witty verses” show us he didn’t think much of women and children. He also disliked pretty much anyone who wasn’t English, with the French, Italians, Spanish, Jews, and Muslims getting multiple mentions. But the one group he absolutely despises, spending close to a third of his verses pouring hate on, are the Catholics (and the pope). The whole book reads like “everyone is bad except for me and my friends”, making him only slightly less misanthropic than Nietzsche, yet somehow still coming across as more humourless.

Other than for its purely historical value, there’s no reason to read the really amateur-level poetry here.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book of poetry that reveals much about Newfoundland. The second book of Quodlibets in particular seems to focus on Hayman's thoughts on Newfoundland and some of the people there. He has a passion for Newfoundland that can explain how people stayed early in Newfoundland's European history. The passion he uses to describe Newfoundland is one that is often still expressed by Newfoundlanders today. I was actually intrigued to see his praise for Lord Baltimore from Ferryland as Ferryland was established as a non-denominational colony but Hayman spends a number of poems in his first and third book negatively commenting on Papists. Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone who is a student of Newfoundland history or who enjoys poetry. The verse is enjoyable, and the insight into Newfoundland's history is fantastic.