It is to Carey that we owe, not only "Chrononhotonthologos," but the first really effective burlesque of Italian opera. In 1737 there was brought out at the Haymarket "The Dragon of Wantley," a "burlesque opera," of which Carey had written the dialogue and songs, and for which John Frederick Lampe had composed the music. Its object, according to the author, was "to display in English the beauty of nonsense, so prevailing in the Italian operas." The story was founded on the old ballad, with which, however, liberties were taken. In the first act, the natives of "that part of Yorkshire near Rotherham" are shown in much excitement, due to the ravages of the dragon, which has just entered the Squire's residence and consumed all the coffee, toast, and butter that was set out for breakfast. Says one Gubbins:-- This Dragon very modish, sure, and nice is: What shall we do in this disastrous crisis? To which his daughter Margery replies:-- A thought, to quell him, comes into my Head; No Way more proper, than to kill him dead. [2] The parts of Chrononhotonthologos, Bombardinian, Rigdum-Funnidos, Aldiborontiphoscophornio, Fadladinida, and Tatlanthe were then taken by Messrs. Murray, Shine, Soutar, Squire, Mrs. Leigh, and Miss Bella Howard respectively. Not far hence lives "a valiant knight," named Moore, of Moore Hall, who may be trusted to destroy the dragon. Moore accordingly is approached, surrenders to the charms of Margery, and undertakes to do the deed. Meanwhile, Mauxalinda, an old flame of Moore's, becomes jealous of Margery, and seeks to slay her with a bodkin--a fate from which Moore happily rescues her. Mauxalinda is then threatened with quarter sessions; but she cries-- O give me not up to the Law, I'd much rather beg upon Crutches; Once in a Sollicitor's Paw, You never get out of his Clutches. Moore thereupon prepares to start for the Dragon's den: But first I'll drink, to make me strong and mighty, Six quarts of ale, and one of Aqua Vitæ. Duly encountering the monster, Moore kills him (say the stage directions) with a kick in the rear, the Dragon crying "Oh, oh, oh! the Devil take your toe!" After that, Gubbins declares:-- The Loves of this brave Knight, and my fair Daughter, In Roratorios shall be sung hereafter. Begin your Songs of Joy; begin, begin, And rend the Welkin with harmonious Din. Thereupon there is this general chorus:-- Sing, sing, and rorio An Oratorio, To gallant Morio, Of Moore Hall. To Margereenia Of Roth'ram Greenia, Beauty's bright Queenia, Bellow and bawl. "The music," says the chronicler, "was made as grand and pompous as possible, to heighten the contrast between that and the words"--thus anticipating the comic method which has been utilised with so much success by Mr. Gilbert and Sir Arthur Sullivan.