There's a very amusing parody called "A new ballad of Sir Patrick Spens" by "Q" (Sir Arthur Quiller-Couch, 1863-1944). I can't remember all of it, and I can't find it on the 'Net, and Im in the throes of moving house, so my copy might be a long time in coming to light ... but it starts:

The king sits in Dunferline toun
Drinking the blude-red wine;
"Oh wha'll rear me up an equilateral triangle
Upon a gi'en straight line?"

Then up and spoke an auld, auld man,
Sat at the king's richt knee:
"O' a' the clerks by Grantaside,
Sir Patrick bears the 'gree.

'Twas he was taught by the Todhuntèr,
Though not at the tod-hunting;
But gif that he be gi'd a guid straight line,
He'll dae sae braw a thing!"

I'll have to post the rest when I can find it; although I can remember a lot more verses, I don't trust my memory.

Steve