The Ingoldsby Legends

The Ingoldsby Legends is a classic of old
Wherein humorous and macabre tales are told
Often in rhyme, though not all the time
And this volume brims with literary gold

"Comic verse" is often the way it's described;
Though humor's the goal, wisdom's often imbibed
by reading each story, no matter how gory
you may find it's just what the doctor prescribed

Some poems are goofy; some tales are sad
Most rhymes are witty (though some are quite bad)
Penned in a hurry, by a man without worry
And no less than a minister, I'm inclined to add

Extremely popular, it was in its time
but sadly no longer, as if it's a crime
to soak in the pages- though wisdom of ages
is contained within the marvelous rhyme

So why the fall from so lofty a perch?
Why has this gold mine been left in the lurch?
For several a reason- I'll discuss in due season
After conducting a thorough vocabulary search

Some humor refers to events now unknown
And sadly, some hints of bigotry are shown
(though in the age victorian, says the average historian
this is all too common, and makes modern man groan)

So while decent value is found in this book
And though it could do with a close second look
I well understand, why it's not in demand-
shifting values have diminished the original hook

If you enjoyed this oddball review
The Ingoldsby Legends might appeal to you
Go check it out; if you give me a shout
I'll lend it out for a week or two

If instead you think I'm not right in the head
Turn away- there exist other books to be read
(or, for a better review, you'll find this will do)
Enough! It's late, and I'm off to bed

Rating: A