The Disabled Debauchee is a perfect characterization of the wit and style that so many strived toward during this era and easily shows why the Earl of Rochester's work was so respected. This poem is phenomenal. Perhaps the psychological process of picturing a face when reading a work (I imagine Johnny Depp's character in the Libertine writing this) helps me indentify more with the writer, but even without that bias I have a hard time thinking of a poem I've enjoyed more. Interestingly, it is written somewhat in the style of Dryden's Mack Fledcknoe as it wittily creates a type of surreal world where a typically undesirable characteristic is admired. The difference is that while Dryden obviously disdains dullness, we are led to believe that Wilmot considers debauchery not only a good trait, but something to be strived for.

As for the structure, I think the title itself lends a great deal of depth to the body and overall message of the work. When the word "disabled" is used to describe someone, it typically refers to a war veteran or (somewhat less often) an employee. Off the top of my head, I can't think of any other situation where the word is used in this context. But an even more interesting portion of the title is the next word: "Debauchee." Wilmot states debauchery as his primary occupation as opposed to calling himself a "Debaucherous Man" or something along those lines. Not only does this indicate that he is proudly and intentionally debaucherous, it makes the comparison to a war veteran more evident.

The poem is overflowed by comparisons of a "Debauchee" to a naval commander and Wilmot floods the line-by-line writing with nautical terms like - When fleets of glasses sail about the [table]. He makes a gradual transition from nautical terms to a more direct sexual tone as the poem progresses, and eventually it becomes very straightforward as to what he is speaking of. The thing that pervades the entire poem and, in my mind, makes it so phenomenal is that Wilmot's tone seamlessly shifts back and forth (whether he is speaking from the perspective of a former playboy or naval officer) and applies perfectly to both perspectives.

Never is this more evident than in lines 21-22. Nor shall the sight of honorable scars/Which my too forward valor did procure. He even refers to his scars as honorable; he considers himself a grizzled veteran of drinking and bed-hopping! In conclusion, he states that Sheltered in impotence, I urge you to blows, saying that he wants to vicariously live through the "next generation." Wilmot seems to say that after his long and accomplished life of debauchery, his only regret is that he can no longer lead the charge, having to settle instead for sitting in the background and watching all the fun from his bed. Did Wilmot truly convert to Christianity following his sickness? Did he actually regret his former ways? Who cares? This is an astounding poem and despite Wilmot's questionable sense of ethics, the literary community is better off with this work.