Tale of fairy, joke of Hood,
Squibs from Punch, not understood,
An evil Djinn, a host of sprites,
By Coryphees in silken tights.
Dissolving Views and Poses Plastiques,
The Human Tripod—how unique!
Mazourkas, Polkas, and Quadrilles,
Keller’s Muscles, Cockle’s Pills
Airs from Balfe on organ ground,
Scraps from Shakespeare, once renowned.
Bubble, bubble, horrid trouble,
Stir up well, and Burlesque bubble.
Railway jests of various uses—
Workhouse tyrants and abuses—
Surrey combats, scenes to tally,
Parodies on opera-ballet.
London slang and quaint dog-Latin—
Ah! put that in. Yes, put that in.
Sly allusion, only spare
What the Licenser won’t bear.
Bubble, bubble, toil and trouble,
Brains ferment, and Burlesque bubble!
—Opening of the Lyceum’s Robin Hood and Richard Coeur de Lion (1846)
