The Botticello by Hugh Lofting
In Florence, Signor Quaverello plays his four-string botticello every Sunday night, until his wife upstairs bellows down at him, calling him a noisy, good-for-nothing fellow and ordering him to put the instrument away and come to bed.
By Hugh Lofting · First published 1886 · Genre: Poetry, Light Verse, Comic Verse · 66 words
First lines
In Florence Signor Quaverello / Would play the four-string botticello / Every single Sunday night, 'tis said.
Until his wife upstairs would bellow / "You noisy, good-for-nothing fellow! / "Hello! / "Quaverello! / "Put that thing away and come to bed! "
What this Textopian page supports
The Botticello is listed on Textopian as a poem by Hugh Lofting, dated 1886 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Hugh Lofting
- Date: 1886 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Light Verse, Comic Verse, Narrative Poetry, Domestic Comedy
- Length: 66 words
- Structure: 1 section, 2 paragraphs
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- Work identity for The Botticello by Hugh Lofting
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Genres
- Poetry — Written in structured verse form with consistent rhyming pattern (night/bellow, said/bed), fundamental to the work's composition
- Light Verse — Employs playful rhyming couplets and whimsical tone to address everyday domestic situations with humor and charm
- Comic Verse — Presents humorous domestic conflict through exaggerated repetition of character name and rhyming scheme, creating comedic effect
- Narrative Poetry — Tells a complete anecdotal story with setting (Florence), characters, action (musical performance), and conflict (spousal complaint)
Tags
Florence · Italy · musician · marriage · domestic conflict · henpecked husband · domineering wife · music · serenade · bedroom scene · balcony · humorous