Butler's Ghost Poem by Sidi Mahtrow

Synopsis of D'Urfey's Butler's Ghost

First Canto -

The Argument

Thomas D'Urfey a continuation did write
Of Sam Butler's tale, so contrite.
Yet in the end he leaves Hudibras as before
A grieving bachelor and more.

Butler left Hudibras in distress.
He (not Butler) was in quite a mess.
For not winning the Widow's hand
Something for which the knight had plan'd.

Along comes D'Urfey with the ending
Although not what might have been intended
. As it opens, we find Hudibras much in torment
And contemplating his body suspended.

In the barn he first thought of falling on his sword
But decided that was messy and untoward
Spying a rope in the loft, he thought
That's the way out, I ought.

Climbed to the rafters and tied the knot
But just in time Ralpho awakened from the straw
And was dismayed at what he saw.
Stop in God's name he declared
Don't end the life we've shared.

If the widow is the problem for you
Maybe we can adjust it with a few
New duds and bath and all
That'll win her heart, I call.

Clean and dressed in clothes apt for a funerary
Hudibras approached the (not so) winsome lass
Timing was ripe for his aggression
Seems she'd been guilty of some transgression.

Her belly swollen by a growing seed
Placed there by perhaps more than one amorous steed.
What to do in this moment of distress?
Wed Hudibras, was the guess.

Second Canto -

The Argument
Thus ends Canto number one with
Hudibras emerging victorious.
But wait there is more than meets the eye
Lovers don't give up so easily by and by.

A grand banquet at Hudibras' expense
Table laid with food and drink Heaven sent.
But one dish was a bit ripe
Perhaps the cook forgot to remove the tripe.

Hudibras to the kitchen did go
And his fair one retired to the bedroom with her bow
Through the keyhole
Did Ralpho spy them acting bol'.

Saw them in bed entwined
In a posture most sublime. To Hudibras he did relate
These events of his cabin mate.
Hudibras in an academic fit
Chastised Ralpho in a snit.
Your eyes and ears do deceive you
It's strong drink and a mind that is amiss.
Not my mistress.

Then appeared the lady in question and
Her consort, face ablaze and dress disrumpled
. Here's proof of her actions
Even Hudibras could not deny
Such evidence that Ralpho did apply.

What to do at this late date,
D'Urfey leaves Hudibras in a sorry state,
Wallet bare from the expense
And disillusioned by the act of the wench.

Divorce in Church of England style
Poorer but wiser, marching single file
Hudibras retires to argue and fight another day
Perhaps Ralpho should have stood quietly in the hay?

James L. Thorson of the University of New Mexico in the introduction to a reprint of the book has provided an explanation of the events of Hudibras' day when the characters were real of life and not too thinly disguised by the poem. The Popish Plot of 1660 is part truth, part fiction and it remains for Thorson and others to place it clear in our minds. In the mean time, D'Urfey's Butler's Ghost and Dryden's Absalom and Achitophel provide an interesting window into the time.