A collection of light verse by W. S. Gilbert. Written before he became famous for his operetta librettoes, the Ballads give an indication of his cynical nature, topsy-turvy attitude to established order and satirical bent. There are characters and situations in the Ballads that Gilbert would recycle in the operettas. The Bab Ballads take their name from a nickname that Gilbert had as a infant and young boy. Even in adulthood, he would use the name 'Bab" to sign his doodles and drawings, many of which he used to illustrate the Bab Ballads.