The Virginia Hermaphrodite Poem by jackilton peachum

THE VIRGINIA HERMAPHRODITE
Bennet's Plantation: near JAMES TOWNE (1629)

Your Honors, Gentlemen of the Council,
Ask me— how it is that I am brought here?
Stepping out of church, bothering no one,
I was of a serene and peaceful mind—
When of a sudden— without a whisper—
I'm set on by folks in the neighborhood!
Men and women handle me very rough-
Fall to a malign of my character-
Pulling up my skirts and looking at me-
Outting me in front of gaping strangers!
Keep them off me, no hands on my body-
No rude words- I've given them no reason!
This because Great Bess says I pleasured her!
Well, so I did- often- and overmuch!
I lie with the maid- I lie with the man—
I please them both- as Great Bess will have said-
Or some men might- close to hand- who won't speak!
Am I man or woman? I cannot say.
But I'll be truthful— since my secret's out-
Aye, I do wear the skirt- or men's trouser-
Whichever pleases me at the moment!
Oh, I've but little piece of hole, good sirs—
An' I'm not hung like some big strong stallion-
Yea, I must put on woman's apparel
- time t' time- t' get some'at for my cat!
But am I ever deviant in such?
No, never- for God's made me what I am!
And will you set your judgement above Him?
I am man and woman in one body-
With some exceptions, for which I'm thankful-
I don't suffer Mother Eve's affliction,
Nor have I art to bear and suckle young-
I'm soft of skin, I have but scantest hair-
I am warlike in the masculine way
- makest my water whilst I'm standing up—
Yet still- still I've the nature of a woman-
In that I am so easy moved to tears!
You, hereabouts, know me as Thomas Hall—
I am christened Thomasine, not Thomas—
For many years, a child at my mother's knee,
Girl-like, I went through Newcastle's mean streets-
Till full-grown- I found me more man than maid-
So, I donned uniform, went as soldier-
And fought bravely- you shall not doubt me there!
I begged no ground nor quarter in that field!
But a soldier's rough life was not for me-
home I came, to find the wearing of lace-
No thick cartridge belt- no heavy chain-mail-
- the wrap of a dress- much more to my like!
So it was an' I shipped for Virginia-
A servant girl seeking for a new life—
Employed as maid in the planter's household!
Now, I shall question you- in due respect-
Your Honors, what‘s the purpose of this court?
To determine my sex by a hearing?
I think not- since not even God's wisdom
Has said by what mode of dress I shall go!
Were it in this court's power to gender
- make me entire as a man or woman-
Then it were greater than God or nature!
You hold me guilty- but guilty of what?
Is there an honest man amongst this crowd,
No matter how masculine- how bearded,
Who has not wondered at the distaff side?
How it means and how it feels to be fair,
What's it to go forth dressed in women's clothes-
Enjoying the soft caress— aye, fond kiss-
And, nay, not to carry the thing forward,
But to give in, surrendering love's part-
Become the one to whom love's-act is done!
Likewise, I shall say for the weaker sex
- an' there ever be such an animal! -
What female's not wanted to wear the pants?
What wife's not felt an envy of her spouse-
As carries Love's weapon in front of him?
Is there a woman's not felt her desire-
Strong as any man's- an' maybe warmer-
Then come at it sometimes to ride atop-
Astride like as some ol' Roman harlot!
Now- your judgement, sirs- is unduly harsh!
How did you arrive at such a sentence?
Is it jealousy makes you punish me?
Of course, I cannot say what you might feel-
But each of us wants what the other's got-
Since I have both, your pique is natural!
You rule that I must dress in men's trousers,
Go with my head adorned by woman's scarf-
And wear an apron tied round my middle!
It's too much, I tell you- alors, too much!
I'll be nothing now but a laughingstock!
(Nay- I'll go off and live with the savage!)












ADAM HIMSELF