John Philips, who was a devoted student and admirer of Milton, wrote a poem in which he parodied Milton’s style, and which Addison called the finest burlesque in the English language.
THE SPLENDID SHILLING
“Sing, heavenly Muse.
Things unattempted yet in prose or rhyme”;
A shilling, breeches, and chimeras dire.
Happy the man, who, void of acres and strife,
In silken or in leathern purse retains
A Splendid Shilling: he nor hears with pain
New oysters cried, nor sighs for cheerful ale;