Punch or the London Charivari, Vol. 109, September 7, 1895

Vol. 109.
September 7, 1895.

THAT POOR PENNY DREADFUL!
Alas! for the poor Penny Dreadful ! They say if a boy gets his head-full Of terrors and crimes, He turns pirate—sometimes; Or of horrors, at least, goes to bed full.
Now is this according to Cocker? Of Beaks one would not be a mocker, But do many lads Turn thieves or foot-pads, Through reading the cheap weekly Shocker?
Such literature is not healthy; But does it make urchins turn stealthy Depleters of tills, Destroyers of wills, Or robbers of relatives wealthy?
I have gloated o'er many a duel, I've heard of Don Pedro the Cruel: Heart pulsing at high rate, I've read how my Pirate Gave innocent parties their gruel.
Yet I have ne'er felt a yearning For stabbing, or robbing, or burning. No highwayman clever And handsome, has ever Induced me to take the wrong turning!
A lad who's a natural villing, When reading of robbing and killing May feel wish to do so; But Sheppard—like Crusoe— To your average boy's only thrilling.
Ah! thousands on Shockers have fed full, And yet not of crimes got a head-full. Let us put down the vile, Yet endeavour the while, To be just to the poor Penny Dreadful !
EVIDENT.