A Ghost Story. To The Air Of Unfortunate Miss Bailey.

By Thomas Moore

Satirical
    Not long in bed had Lyndhurst lain,         When, as his lamp burned dimly,     The ghosts of corporate bodies slain,[1]         Stood by his bedside grimly.     Dead aldermen who once could feast,         But now, themselves, are fed on,     And skeletons of mayors deceased,         This doleful chorus led on:--                     Oh Lord Lyndhurst,                     "Unmerciful Lord Lyndhurst,                         "Corpses we,                         "All burkt by thee,                     "Unmerciful Lord Lyndhurst!"     "Avaunt, ye frights!" his Lordship cried,         "Ye look most glum and whitely."     "Ah, Lyndhurst dear!" the frights replied,         "You've used us unpolitely.     "And now, ungrateful man! to drive         "Dead bodies from your door so,     "Who quite corrupt enough, alive,         "You've made by death still more so.                     "Oh, Ex-Chancellor,                 "Destructive Ex-Chancellor,                     "See thy work,                     "Thou second Burke,                 "Destructive Ex-Chancellor!"     Bold Lyndhurst then, whom naught could keep         Awake or surely that would,     Cried "Curse you all"--fell fast asleep--         And dreamt of "Small v. Attwood."     While, shockt, the bodies flew downstairs,         But courteous in their panic     Precedence gave to ghosts of mayors,         And corpses aldermanic,                 Crying, "Oh, Lord Lyndhurst,                 "That terrible Lord Lyndhurst,                     "Not Old Scratch                     "Himself could match                 "That terrible Lord Lyndhurst."

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
The poem, rich in satire and dark humor, centers around the theme of political critique and societal corruption. The titular character, Lyndhurst, is haunted by the ghosts of 'corporate bodies slain,' an effective metaphor for the consequences of his political actions. This introduces a gothic element to the poem, adding an eerie atmosphere that heightens the sense of guilt and accusation.

The structure of the poem is consistent, with a regular rhythm and rhyme scheme that lends a sing-song quality to the verses. This contrasts with the grim content of the poem and adds to the overall satirical tone. The recurring refrain, featuring variations of "Unmerciful Lord Lyndhurst," serves to emphasize the critique of the protagonist's character. The poet uses vivid imagery, such as "dead aldermen who once could feast," to create a grotesque picture of the consequences of Lyndhurst's actions. Notable is the use of personification, with the ghosts conducting themselves with decorum even in their outrage, adding to the irony and dark humor of the poem. The poem concludes with Lyndhurst dismissing the ghosts and falling asleep, a metaphor for his indifference to the societal destruction he has caused. This hard-hitting critique, cloaked in humor and gothic elements, is what makes this poem stand out.

Understanding Satirical Poetry

Satirical poems use wit, irony, exaggeration, and ridicule to expose folly—personal, social, or political. The aim isn’t just laughter: it’s critique that nudges readers toward insight or change.

Common characteristics of satirical poetry:

  • Targeted Critique: Focuses on specific behaviors, institutions, or ideas—often timely, sometimes timeless.
  • Tools of Irony: Uses sarcasm, parody, understatement, and hyperbole to sharpen the point.
  • Voice & Persona: Speakers may be unreliable or exaggerated to reveal contradictions and hypocrisy.
  • Form Flexibility: Appears in couplets, tercets, quatrains, blank verse, or free verse—music serves the mockery.
  • Moral Pressure: Beneath the humor lies ethical pressure—satire seeks reform, not merely amusement.
  • Public & Personal: Can lampoon public figures and trends or needle private vanities and everyday pretenses.

The best satire balances bite with craft: memorable lines that entertain while revealing the gap between how things are and how they ought to be.