A Century of Parody and Imitation

This volume brings together a representative sample of English literary parody spanning more than a hundred years, from the late eighteenth‑century works of George Ellis to the early twentieth‑century verses of Andrew Lang. Beginning with the seminal “Rejected Addresses” of 1812, the anthology traces how writers turned familiar poems and speeches into witty mirrors, ranging from light‑hearted burlesques to sharper, critical imitations. The editors explain the evolution of the form, noting how a well‑known original is often the key to a successful parody, yet many pieces still entertain even when the source has faded from memory.

Readers will hear a lively parade of styles—rhythmic pastiches, clever wordplay, and satirical takes on the literary giants of each era. Although the collection excludes modern newspaper and magazine pieces, it preserves many once‑popular verses that shaped the art of imitation. Listening offers a glimpse into the humor and literary taste of past generations, revealing how parody has long served both amusement and critique.