Image:Punch - Sullivan's knighthood.png

Cartoon from Punch. It was printed with the following short article:

"A HUMOROUS KNIGHT."

["It is reported that after the Leeds Festival Dr. Sullivan will be knighted." Having read this in a column of gossip, a be-nighted Contributor, who has "the Judge's Song" on the brain, suggests the following verse, adapted to probabilities.]

As a boy I had such a musical bump,

    And its size so struck Mr. HELMORE,

That he said, "Though you sing those songs like a trump,

    You shall write some yourself that will sell more."

So I packed off to Leipsic, without looking back,

    And returned in such classical fury,

That I sat down with HANDEL and HAYDN and BACH,—

    And turned out "Trial by Jury."

    

But W.S.G. he jumped for joy

    As he said, "Though the job dismay you,

Send Exeter Hall to the deuce, my boy;

    It's the haul with me that'll pay you."

And we hauled so well, mid jeers and taunts,

    That we've settled, spite all temptations,

To stick to our Sisters and our Cousins and our Aunts,—

    And continue our pleasant relations.

    

Yet I know a big Duke, and I've written for Leeds,

    And I think (I don't wish to be snarly),

If honour's poured out on a chap for his deeds,

    I'm as good—come, as MONCKTON or CHARLEY!

So the next "first night" and the Opéra C.,

    Let's hope, if you're able to find him,

You'll cry from the pit, "There's W. S. G.

    In the stalls,—with a KNIGHT behind him!'"

Punch, or the London Charivari

October 30, 1880

Edward Linley Sambourne