_Funny Folks_ for January 23, 1875, contained a parody, in ten verses, on _The Voyage;_ the first and last verse only are given, as the rest are of little interest:-- THE EXCURSION TRAIN. We left behind the painted buoy That tosses at the harbour mouth; And madly danced our hearts with joy As fast we floated to the South. THE VOYAGE. "We left behind the painted boy Who tumbles at the gutter's mouth, And madly leaped our hearts for joy In taking tickets for the south; To get away from smell and sound, And crowded street and city roar, Two used-up clerks on pleasure bound, Ere yet our holidays were o'er. * * * * * And never tongue of ours was furled, As on we went with spirits free; The railway was our little world, Though not a little whirled were we. The winds and rain might blow and cease-- What cared we for wind or rain? We'd paid our one pound ten apiece, And this was our Excursion Train! * * * * * The following is an extract from a parody on _The Lotus Eaters_. It was written by Captain Barlow, and obtained the second prize offered by the Editor of _The World_, in which paper it appeared in September, 1879:-- THE MINISTERS AT GREENWICH. "GREENWICH," they said, and pointed into space; "The steaming train will bear us thither soon," In time for dinner came they to that place, In which it seemèd always dinner-time. A place of diners: some with friend or fair, Slow dropping down the stream, to feast did go; And those by quicker train did there repair Who deemed all other locomotion slow, Nor cared to watch the muddy river's flow. The sky looked showery, as is oft the case Now, when no two days ever seem the same; But yet, despite of Nature's frowning face, To dine the whitebait-eating members came. Baskets they saw of that delightful fish Whose flavour is seductive, and doth make Those who have tasted say that never dish Was so delicious, and when they partake Of these, all other food they straight forsake. Then some one said, "Why further should we pace?" And all at once they sang, "This is the place To spend a happy day. Rest we a little space. Refreshing is this liquor dry, Iced well as well can be;" Drink is "the best of life." Then why Abstain teetotally? * * * * * * * * * THE AMIABLE DUN. _A Fragment._ (After Tennyson.) At breakfast time he comes and stands, He puts his paper in your hands, He hums and haws, with "ifs" and "ands." His hands he laves with unseen soaps, Thanks you for nothing, says he hopes, Then bows, "Good morning, sir;" he slopes. From _Odd Echoes from Oxford_, 1872.