A Century of Parody and Imitation

by Unknown

[P. 342.] A Geological Madrigal. Shenstone's verses beginning

I have found out a gift for my fair;

I have found where the wood-pigeons breed,

are in Hope, the second part of his Pastoral Ballad in Four Parts. The inspiration of Bret Harte's verses is sometimes ridiculously attributed to Herrick.

[P. 347.] Vers de Société. This might have been classed as a parody of Praed, but was printed originally as by 'Fritteric Lacquer.' It is here reprinted, with the two following parodies, from Traill's Recaptured Rhymes, by permission of Messrs. Blackwood.

[P. 348.] The Puss and the Boots. This may be compared with Calverley's 'The Cock and the Bull' (see p. 301).

[P. 350.] After Dilettante Concetti. See Rossetti's Sister Helen, which commences:

'Why did you melt your waxen man,

Sister Helen?