Captain Cook in the Underworld

Robert Sullivan

• Publisher: Auckland University Press
• Year: 2013
• Print ISBN: 9781869402815
• eBook ISBN: 9781775580348
• Topic: Littérature
• Subtopic: Poésie

Originally commissioned as the libretto for a work by composer John Psathas for the 50th birthday celebration of the Orpheus Choir, this book-length poem offers fresh perspectives on the familiar story of Cook's Pacific explorations. Employing a broad bicultural approach to reinterpret the Orpheus myth for the South Pacific, Sullivan uses a wide range of styles—from 18th-century dialogue to 21st-century hip hop cadences—to create a revisionist Cook who must accept responsibility for the damage his expeditions have inflicted on the indigenous peoples of the Pacific.

ABSOLUTION CHORUS

In this quadrant of the journey

we look to redeem from burning

James, a man of his day, in hellfire –

we have twenty-first century hindsight –

while he thought he discovered

these islands already discovered by lovers

Kupe and his wife Kuramarotini.

He didn’t know to presume discovery

was a lie, nor did he know the prejudices

of the unborn colony. Forgive the Ulysses

of his day, for the mores of his age,

for overlooking the inhabitants with his claim.

We the choir absolve him. For this

is the absolution chorus. Forgiveness,

remember to forgive, hold

this as Cook and his story unfolds.

And now let us listen to James

stake out his claim for the greatness

of the angel Albion, her new dominion

over an innocent slip of land.

Summon the cast from the shades,

hold a torch to their names:

bright Orpheus of the singing lyre,

poet exemplar, inspired

by His Majesty’s bark Endeavour: a choir

for Endeavour travelling to the transit of Venus,

our Captain Cook’s mission to see this:

Endeavour tossed about these deep waves,

a coin landing lucky side for the brave,

Endeavour James! Endeavour James!

Loft the sails of our story; embark for a new start,

an argosy in our Cook’s heart:

Carl Jung more than a century in the future

argues for the stories of ancient culture

lodestars for the psyche: here Orpheus

enters Cook’s first voyage in fierce

spirit, a bright star guiding Cook’s choir.

Thus invisible Orpheus sings spirit songs of the lyre

stoking passions for a distant fire,

for fiery Venus travelling across the heavens

Venus luring these Europeans

for a glimpse of her in a glass,

to confirm an astronomical chart

and the psyche’s template

the starry temple of woman to our crewmates

and our musical stowaway: divine Orpheus.

But enough talk from Jungian Olympus,

Orpheus and Eurydice, his heart’s name,

Orpheus’ love in an underworld of flames.

Bring it back to Cook. Spyglass to the ready,

the Captain speaks, heading for Tahiti.

Ah Paradiso bliss!

These natives are the gentlest, a breezy caress

while my crew

feast on all their senses can thrust and chew

from nativity. It’s like Christmas!

Christmas in the sun, and mistle-

toe on the stubbled chins of our lads

from England. Even Joseph Banks

has let his hair down, great hats wear no hats at all,

these friendly islanders don’t give a toss. Haul

the anchor, first mate! and drop it again,

it’s almost too much with Venus on the brain.

Rule Endeavour! Endeavour

rules the waves, and soon the heavens!

Onwards for Venus! By King G...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Half-title
• Title Page
• Dedication
• Epigraph
• Table of Contents
• INTRODUCTORY NOTE
• ABSOLUTION CHORUS
• ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
• WORKS CONSULTED
• Copyright