Mirth and metre

by Frank E. (Frank Edward) Smedley

"Mirth and Metre" by Frank E. Smedley and Edmund Yates is a collection of humorous poetry and light verse written in the mid-19th century. The work is presented as a series of lays and legends that employ a satirical tone. The authors aim to emulate and pay homage to the comic poetry style of Thomas Ingoldsby, while also weaving in their own narratives and characters, including a young heiress named Maude and various other amusing figures involved in legendary tales. At the start of the collection, we find a sorrowful scene at Allinghame Hall where Maude, the heiress, mourns the death of her father, Sir Reginald Allinghame. Despite numerous suitors who show interest in her, she is determined not to marry immediately. The narrative humorously shifts when young Lord Dandelion is robbed by a flamboyant highwayman, who evokes a mix of fear and comedic awe. This detailed and whimsical setup introduces the playful nature of the poems, blending elements of humor, romance, and adventure, as it invites readers into a world where characters navigate both romantic entanglements and absurd situations.