The (almost really) Complete Works of Lewis Carroll

Those Horrid Hurdy-Gurdies!

Source: The College Rhymes, November 1861

Parody on My mother bids me bind my hair by Anne Hunter, My lodging is on the cold, cold ground (The Rivals) by William Davenant, Ever of thee by George Linley

A Monody, by A Victim

“My mother bids me bind my hair,”
And not go about such a figure;
It’s a bother, of course, but what do I care?
I shall do as I please when I’m bigger.

“My lodging is on the cold, cold ground,”
As the first-floor and attics were taken.
I tried the garret but once, and found
That my wish for a change was mistaken.

“Ever of thee!” yes, “Ever of thee!”
They chatter more and more,
Till I groan aloud, “Oh! let me be!
“I have heard it all before!”

“Please remember the organ, sir;”
What? hasn’t he left me yet?
I promise, good man; for its tedious burr
I never can forget.

Ch. Ch. B. B.