This is probably the most amusing parody of Christabel that has ever been written. It appeared originally in “Warreniana,” a small anonymous volume of imitations published by Longmans & Co., in 1824. It is now known that the author was Mr. W. F. Deacon, who died about 1845.
Between 60 and 70 years ago Robert Warren’s Blacking was the best advertised article of the day, and even Lord Byron was accused of writing puffs for it. Hence this collection of squibs, in which all the leading poets of the day were represented as singing its praises.
Some few redundant passages have been cut out, but nothing which is necessary to the plot of the poem has been omitted. Warreniana may still be met with occasionally as a second-hand book, and is well worth the few shillings it will cost.
A Parody of Christabelle.
The Baron Rich.
’Tis a quarter to ten by the castle clock,
And the ‘mastiff bitch’ has awakened the cock,
And the cock has awakened the ‘Baron Rich,’
And he in return will thump the bitch;