Duck was in a rather odd social position -- a farm labourer by birth who became an imitation court poet due to his royal patronage. The many dedications to Queen Caroline reveal his constant acknowledgement of his indebtedness to her. His early works include 'The Thresher's Labour' and 'The Shunammite.' The period of the Queen's patronage was Duck's most prolific. Duck may have been considered for the laureateship. He was satirized by many, including Swift and Pope, though the DNB insists that his reputation in the 1730s should not be underestimated. When the Queen died in 1737, Duck became a clergyman to support himself, but ultimately committed suicide.