Subject: Cull, alias Silly Billy
From:
Conrad Bladey (Peasant- Inactive)
Date: 07 Apr 00 - 04:39 PM
Cull alias Silly Billy Whence those cries, my soul that harrow?
Whence those yells, that wound my ear?
'Tis the hapless child of sorrow!
'Tiss poor Billy's plaint I hear.
Now, in tatter'd plight I see him,
Teazing crowds around him press;
Ah! will none from insult free him?
None his injuries redress? Fil'd with many a fearful notion,
Now he utters piercing cries;
Starting now, with sudden motion,
Swiftly thro' the streets he hides.
Poor, forlorn, and hapless creature,
Victim of insanity!
Sure it speaks a ruthless nature,
To oppress a wretch like thee. When, by generous friends protected,
All thy actions told thee mild,
Tho' by reason undirected,
And the prey of fancies wild.'
Of those friends did Heav'n deprive thee,
None, alas! supply'd their place?
And to madness now to drive thee,
Ceaseless strives a cruel race. Youth forlorn! tho' crowds deride thee,
Gentle minds for thee must grieve;
Back to reason, wish to guide thee,
And thy ev'ry want relieve,
O from this sad state to snatch thee,
Why delay the good and kind?
Pity calls them on to watch thee,
And to tranquilize thy mind.^^ -in Bell, Subject of the song Cull Billy
or Silly Billy was an abused mentally ill
street person of Newcastle who
would perform recitations on the streets. The song
was printed in the Newcastle Chronicle of August
28 1802 signed J.S. After the song appeared
St. John's Parish had Billy put into its poor
house where was confined until he recovered.
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