“Whacks to receive, and marble to retain.”
Beppo, stanza xxxiv.
Alliteration has long been a favourite target for the arrows of wits, though most of them are forced to acknowledge its “artful aid.” It requires a very considerable command of the English language, however, before a rhymester can concoct five quatrains in which every word commences with the same letter. This is the diverting composition here referred to; it is supposed to be a serenade sung by Major Marmaduke Muttonhead to Mademoiselle Madeline Mendoza Marriott—
My Madeline! My Madeline!
Mark my melodious midnight moans,
Much may my melting music mean,
My modulated monotones.
My mandoline’s mild minstrelsy,
My mental music magazine,
My mouth, my mind, my memory,
Must mingling murmur “Madeline.”
Mankind’s malevolence may make
Much melancholy music mine;
Many my motives may mistake,
My modest meritings malign.
Match-making mothers machinate,
Manœuvring misses me misween;
Mere money may make many mate,
My magic motto’s “Madeline.”
Melt most mellifluous melody
‘Midst Murcia’s misty mounts marine,
Meet me by moonlight—marry me,
Madonna mia—Madeline.
