ABSTRACT
This poem parodies Leigh Hunt’s ‘To J. H., Four Years Old’, first published in The Examiner on 8 September 1816 and later included in Foliage; or Poems Original and Translated (1818). Hunt’s jocular piece of whimsy, in the manner and metre of Ambrose Philips, is addressed to his ill-fated second son, John (1812–46). Hunt portrays Johnny as a charming but tumultuous ‘rogue’ who is constantly engaged in boyish mischief. Not even the most enthusiastic devotee of Hunt’s verse would maintain that ‘To J. H.’ is one of his strongest efforts. Here are the poem’s first sixteen lines: Ah little ranting Johnny, For ever blithe and bonny, And singing nonny, nonny, With hat just thrown upon ye; Or whistling like the thrushes With voice in silver gushes; Or twisting random posies With daisies, weeds, and roses; And strutting in and out so, Or dancing all about so, With cock-up nose so lightsome, And sidelong eyes so brightsome, And cheeks as ripe as apples, And head as rough as Dapple’s, And arms as sunny shining As if their veins had wine in; 1
