also has been well beparodied, and a shot or two has been taken at Mr. William Morris; but the other contemporary poets have missed the crown, thorny yet desirable, of Parody.” The classification of the Parodies of Songs presents some difficulties, but the following arrangement will be adopted as far as possible; Popular sentimental and amatory songs; National and Patriotic (English, Irish, Welsh and Scotch); Naval and Military; Sporting, Convivial, Social and Humorous Songs. WALTER HAMILTON. 57, GAUDEN ROAD, CLAPHAM, LONDON, S.W. _December_, 1886. ――――:o:―――― SENT TO HEAVEN. I had a message to send her, To her whom my soul loved best; But I had my task to finish, And she had gone home to rest. To rest in the far bright heaven, Oh, so far away from here; It was vain to speak to my darling, For I knew she could not hear. * * * * * And I know that at last my message Has passed through the golden gate; So my heart is no longer restless, And I am content to wait. This poem first appeared in _The Cornhill Magazine_, November, 1860, in 13 four-lined verses, over the initials A. A. P. (Adelaide Anne Proctor). It is now better known as _The Message_, and has been frequently parodied. THE MESSAGE. I had a message to send her, To her whom my soul loves best, For I had my task to finish, And she had gone home to the west, To our pretty suburban villa, At least five miles from here, And my dear affectionate darling Will be very anxious, I fear. I wrote a letter to send her, So tender, and loving, and sweet, I longed for a seraph to bear it, And lay it down at her feet. I gave it the clerk in the morning, And the post was only next door, But the stupid, forgetful fellow Didn’t post it till half-past four. I cried in my passionate longing, “Has the earth no angel friend Who will carry my love the message My heart desires to send!” The message at last was sent her, And at midnight to Hyacinth Grove, The telegraph boy brought my warning―― “Don’t keep dinner waiting, my love.” _Funny Folks._ April 27, 1878. ―――― THE MESSAGE. (_Of the Future._) I had a message to send her, To her whom my soul loves best, But I had some letters to finish, And it couldn’t go out with the rest―― With the rest to the first post-office, Oh, so far away from here; It was vain to call back the porter, He was deaf and could not hear. I had a message to send her: Some friends I intended to treat, And I longed for a hansom to bear it, But there wasn’t a cab in the street.