I knew Reynolds, and often talked to him about Peter Bell. Wordsworth’s poem had been advertised, but its publication was from time to time put off. Some literary men were guessing at the cause of this delay, and one said, Wordsworth is keeping it back to elaborate. ‘Elaborate!’ said Reynolds, ‘I’ll see if I can’t get one out before him.’ He set to work that afternoon, and sent his poem to the printer the next evening. I think it was out about a fortnight before Wordsworth’s. Up to the publication of Peter Bell, they were literary friends, and occasionally exchanged letters. The joke annoyed Wordsworth, who gave up the acquaintance.”
Shelley also wrote a parody of Peter Bell.
A parody entitled “The Dead Asses, a Lyrical Ballad” was also published in 1819, but no copy of it can be found in the British Museum Library.
“Benjamin the Waggoner, a Ryghte merrie and conceitede tale in verse.” A Fragment. London, Baldwin. 1819. Anonymous. The introduction is signed Peter Plague-em.
This clever burlesque of “Peter Bell,” is an octavo of 96 pages, and consists of an Introduction, the poem, and some very prolix notes, all in ludicrous imitation of Wordsworth.
There’s something in a glass of ale,
There’s something in good sugar candy;
And when a man is getting cold,
And when the weather’s getting cold,
There’s something in a glass of brandy.