Cunning linguists
poem containing the word prebendary
CanadianJohn · 13/05/2016 02:19
About 40 or 50 years ago I read a poem which referred to "Prebendary someone" - Prebendary Jones, or Prebendary Reeves, or something. I have the feeling it was a humourous poem, something like Hillaire Belloc might write, but I'll be damned if I can remember enough of the poem to do a search.
Any ideas?
Canyouforgiveher · 13/05/2016 02:26
When Mrs Gorm (Aunt Eloise)
Was stung to death by savage bees,
Her husband (Prebendary Gorm)
Put on his veil, and took the swarm.
He’s publishing a book, next May,
On “How to Make Bee-keeping Pay.”
I love this one.
it is from Ruthless Rhymes for Heartless homes. Not Hillare belloc (but you are thinking of some of Cautionary Tales poems)
all of this is very much sly edwardian humour. Clerihews also great.
Canyouforgiveher · 13/05/2016 02:29
I think this is another one of the ruthless rhymes
when baby's cries grew hard to bear
I popped him in the frigidaire
I never would have done so if
I knew that he'd be frozen stiff
I said "my dear I'm so unhappy"
"Our darling's now completely frappe"
CanadianJohn · 13/05/2016 03:06
That was quick, thank you. Harry Graham, I should have thought of him.
Another one from Ruthless Rhymes
Father heard his children scream
So he threw them in the stream.
Saying, as he drowned the third,
"Children should be seen, not heard!"
Do you know, I've forgotten more stuff than I remember.
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