Charles Dickens 200th Birthday

Charles Dickens was a contemporary with Brunel and Darwin. His densely plotted doorstops are occasionally condensed into triple limericks.

An heir fakes his death; Noddy Boffin

Inherits the dung. He's a toff in

A world that's uncheering

(Think Podsnap, Veneering)

And as wooden as dolls or a coffin.

Fledgeby a vicious young dreg.

And a peg-leg peculiar called Wegg.

And others scroung gems

In the yellow-phlegm Thames.

Although paupers like Betty won't beg.

The heir reappears, comes to life,

And with Noddy he cuts through the strife.

There are villains who quarrel,

Down in ooze (that's the moral).

But the good guys , hurrah, find a wife.