The Wheeling Annual. 1885
——:o:——
THE PIED PIPER OF HAMELIN.
This poem is given in full in The Comic Poets of the Nineteenth Century, published by Routledge & Sons, London. It has been the subject of several political parodies, one of the best being that which appeared in Punch, May 1, 1880, entitled “The Bagpiper of Midlothian.” This described how the Liberals in Midlothian despaired of their cause, and the Tories were jubilant, when suddenly Wandering Willie the Piper appeared.
And “Please your Worships,” said he, “I’m able,
By means of a secret charm, to draw
All creatures—with ears—beneath the sun;
After me they are bound to run
In such a style as you never saw.
I’m willing,” said he, “to try my charm