The Book of Humorous Verse

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Language: en1,238 downloads on Project Gutenberg

Subjects

Humorous poetry, English Humorous poetry, American

In: Poetry·Humour

Public-domain ebook sourced from Project Gutenberg #23972.

About this book

The Book of Humorous Verse is a carefully curated compilation rather than an exhaustive anthology, assembled with the intention of offering readers a reliable place to discover favorite comic poems. The compiler’s introductory note acknowledges the practical limits of space and the tug‑of‑war between popular and classical selections, insisting that each piece was chosen “by favor” and arranged with “loving care” to honor the verses themselves. The volume draws from a broad spectrum of sources, ranging from Edward Lear and Lewis Carroll to James Whitcomb Riley and G. K. Chesterton, thanks to permissions secured from a host of publishers. Its contents are organized into themed sections such as Banter, the Eternal Feminine, Love and Courtship, and Satire, providing a mosaic of wit that spans centuries and continents while remaining accessible in a single volume.

The verses reflect a lively, often tongue‑in‑cheek voice that spans the 18th‑through‑early‑20th‑century literary landscape. Readers will encounter the playful parody of W. S. Gilbert, the gentle absurdity of A. A. Milne, the sharp satire of Rudyard Kipling, and the whimsical nonsense of Edward Lear, all rendered in a style that balances formal poetic structure with humor that still resonates. Lovers of light‑hearted poetry, students of literary humor, and anyone who enjoys a clever turn of phrase will find this collection an entertaining guide through the rich tradition of English‑language comic verse.

The opening · free to read

And since there can be nothing humorous about an introduction, there can be small need of a lengthy one.

Merely a few explanations of conditions which may be censured by captious critics.

First, the limitations of space had to be recognized. Hence, the book is a compilation, not a collection. It is representative, but not exhaustive. My ambition was toward a volume to which everyone could go, with a surety of finding any one of his favorite humorous poems between these covers. But no covers of one book could insure that, so I reluctantly gave up the dream for a reality which I trust will make it possible for a majority of seekers to find their favorites here.

The compiler's course is a difficult one. The Scylla of Popularity lures him on the one hand, while the Charybdis of the Classical charms him on the other. He has nothing to steer by but his own good taste, and good taste, alack, is greatly a matter of opinion.

And no opinion seemeth good unto an honest compiler, save his own. Wherefore, the choice of these selections, like kissing, went by favor. As to the arrangement of them, every compiler will tell you that Classification is Vexation. And why not? When many a poem may be both Parody and Satire,--both Romance and Cynicism. Wherefore, the compiler sorted with loving care the selections here presented striving to do justice to the verses themselves, and taking a chance on the tolerant good nature of the reader.

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