Introduction:

The origins of the limerick form is shrouded in obscurity, but there is no doubt whatever as to the identity of the man who made it universally popular. His name was Edward Lear. His Book of Nonsense, published in London in 1846, initiated a vogue that spread more quickly than anagrams.

Nobody was more dismayed by this development than Edward Lear himself, who boarded a steamer and fled to Greece to escape the plague of limericks he had started. Lear insisted to the end, but in vain, that he was not the originator of the limerick form. He even produced evidence of a limerick of sorts in Shakespeare! Indeed, Lear had aspired to be a landscape painter, and produced a portfolio of drawings of bird species that has been compared favorably to Audubons's. When he discovered, therefore, that his fame would rest instead on his book of limericks, his consternation is understandable.

To honor the 154th anniversary of Mr.Lear's achievement, MSF Theatre proudly presents... A Plague of Limericks.

1: Eva

There was an event called Midsummerfest

That those who attended thought was the best

They came by car and by plane

To play with friends in the rain

And go back refreshed but in need of rest.

2: Richard

There is a wild crowd who know Ian

Who now and again we go see'un

They dress up like clowns

When they leave their home towns

And in the woods they go pee'un

3: Eva

Said Kirk to Scotty one day

If Earth's not out of our way

Set the engines to warp

I'm hungry for gorp

And I'm tired of saving the day

[And the Klingons are running away

And really must see the new play]

4: Richard

Dedicated to my dear friend

There was a young man from Seattle

Whose friends thought was totally addle(d)

For once each year

With nary a fear

He'd go into paint-splattered battle.

5: Eva

Recent occurance in maternity ward at new job:

There was a young wife who begat

Three husky boys, Nat, Pat, and Tat

They all yelled for food

And a problem ensued

When she found there was no tit for Tat.

6: Richard

Midsummerfest offers its own dangers:

There once was a man, George Bush

Who took a big fall on his toosh

For he chanced to be seen

In the woods by Ian

(Bill photo with G.W face)

And now is career is all mush.

7. Eva

Dedicated to my good friend and favorite MC:

The was a young man, kind and fair

Who had lost all of his hair

He fell in the pond

And sprouted a frond

An now he's no longer bare.

8. Richard:

There was a young maid from Natucket

Who now and then really mucked up it

(Who once a year did muck up)

Her life was all ease

When she signed her releasee

And now she washes her face in a bucket.

9. Eva:

You're in the woods. Yuppies, beware!

There was a young man from the city,

Who saw what he thought was a kitty.

To make sure of that

He gave it a pat.

They buried his clothes - what a pity!

10: Richard

Eva recently spent 2 weeks between jobs:

A woman from north of the boarder

Had a passion for the recorder

Instead of earning her loot

She'd sit and she'd toot

I wish I could cure her disorder!

Eva: That's all I have, but I've written a special one for you to read....

11. Richard:

OK...

There was an OLD man from Belmont

Who annually went to Vermont

He'd rip off his clothes

And sex all the toads

Too bad I can't read this small font!