We ... received this item recently from member Jane Stedman,
and with all the various talk there has been about The Pirates of
Penzance in this issue, it seemed to fit right in.  The unsigned
verse originally appeared in Judy, or the London Serio-Comic
Journal 27 (July 7, 1880): 4 (as the title suggests, "a kind of
imitation Punch).  Dr. Stedman goes on to say that other semi-
derogatory remarks about Pirates appeared in the journal during the
same season.  In any event, the author didn't seem to think "sat a
gee" was much of a rhyme for "strategy" in the Major General's
song, and the verse consists of his suggestions for future rhymes.

                   Rhyme Overtime

              Each night, at Opera Comique
              The author says to "strategy"
            In vain a better rhyme you'll seek
             Than that he uses-- "sat a gee."

                As Grossmith capers anyhow
             And sings his rhyme to strategy,
          All those who've seen him must allow
             He might bestride a fatter gee.

         Now, Gladstone roams with might and main
              Against the Tories' strategy,
          And tolls his thunders of disdain--
               Whatever is the matter, G?

           Why do you nightly talk such stuff
             And rave at Dizzy's strategy?
           Be quiet--do; we've heard enough
            Of your too fluent chatter, G.

         And should you keep this style on long
            If this, then is your strategy;
        You'll find we're right and you are wrong,
         And soon your friends you scatter, G.

       Miss Smith, who sings though past her prime
            (It is her mother's strategy),
           Has got no ear for tune or time--
         Just hark!--you can't call that a G.

       And though, poor girl, she does her best
           To aid her mother's strategy;
         The wretched truth must be confest,
             I never heard a flatter G.

      There's Jones, who longs to prove he's wise
                By any kind of strategy
         Can not spell "grasping"--when he tries
           He quite forgets the latter G.

        So, Gilbert, take your choice of these
          When next you rhyme to "strategy,"
          And don't be angry, if you please,
             Nor get as mad as hatter, G.

{I still like "sat a gee".  Ed.}

[This item appeared in Issue 27 (September 1990) of Precious Nonsense,
the newsletter of the Midwestern Gilbert & Sullivan Society.  Posted by
permission of Sarah Cole, Society Secretary/Archivist.  For
information on Society membership write to:  The Midwestern Gilbert
& Sullivan Society, c/o Miss Sarah Cole, 613 W. State St., North
Aurora, IL 60542-1538.]