Lewis Carroll - The Hunting of the Snark (1876)

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'My father and mother were honest, though poor – '
'Skip all that!' cried the Bellman in haste.

Lewis Carroll
Still, as Christmas-tide comes round, They remember it again - Echo still the joyful sound "Peace on earth, good-will to men!"

Lewis Carroll
And my heart is like nothing so much as a bowl
Brimming over with quivering curds!

Lewis Carroll
He had bought a large map representing the sea Without the least vestige of land: And the crew were much pleased when they found it to be A map they could all understand.

Lewis Carroll
In one moment I've seen what has hitherto been Enveloped in absolute mystery, And without extra charge I will give you at large A Lesson in Natural History.

Lewis Carroll
The method employed I would gladly explain, While I have it so clear in my head, If I had but the time and you had but the brain — But much yet remains to be said.

Lewis Carroll
You boil it in saw dust: you salt it in glue: You condense it with locust and tape: Still keeping one principle object in view — To preserve its symmetrical shape.

Lewis Carroll
But the principal failing occurred in the sailing,
And the Bellman, perplexed and distressed,
Said he had hoped, at least, when the wind blew due East,
That the ship would not travel due West!

Lewis Carroll
Alice thought to herself, 'Then there's no use in speaking.' The voices didn't join in this time, as she hadn't spoken, but to her great surprise, they all thought in chorus (I hope you understand what thinking in chorus means—for I must confess that I don't), 'Better say nothing at all. Language is worth a thousand pounds a word!

Lewis Carroll
There was silence supreme! Not a shriek, not a scream, Scarcely even a howl or a groan, As the man they called "Ho!" told his story of woe In an antediluvian tone.

Lewis Carroll
It is this, it is this that oppresses my soul.

Lewis Carroll
But oh, beamish nephew, beware of the day,
If your Snark be a Boojum! For then
You will softly and suddenly vanish away,
And never be met with again!

Lewis Carroll
'What's the good of Mercator's North Poles and Equators,
Tropics, Zones and Meridian lines?'
So the Bellman would cry: and the crew would reply,
'They are merely conventional signs!'

Lewis Carroll
And ever, as the story drained The wells of fancy dry, And faintly strove that weary one To put the subject by, "The rest next time—" "It is next time!" The Happy voice cry. Thus grew the tale of Wonderland

Lewis Carroll
They sought it with thimbles, they sought it with care;
They pursued it with forks and hope;
They threatened its life with a railway-share;
They charmed it with smiles and soap.

Lewis Carroll
It frequently breakfasts at five-o'clock tea, And dines on the following day.

Lewis Carroll
He would answer to "Hi!" or to any loud cry Such as "Fry me!" or "Fritter my wig!" To "What-you-may-call-um!" or "What-was-his-name!" But especially "Thing-um-a-jig!"

Lewis Carroll
He was part of my dream, of course — but then I was part of his dream, too.

Lewis Carroll
When the sands are all dry, he is gay as a lark, And will talk in contemptuous tones of the Shark: But, when the tide rises and sharks are around, His voice has a timid and tremulous sound.

Lewis Carroll
Can you row?" the Sheep asked, handing her a pair of knitting-needles as she spoke. "Yes, a little—but not on land—and not with needles—" Alice was beginning to say.

Lewis Carroll