The Walrus and the Carpenter

THE sun was shining on the sea, Shining with all its might :
He did his very best to make
The billows smooth and bright- Andthis was odd, because it was
The middle of the night.
The moon was shining sulkily,
Because she thought the sun
Hadgot no business to be there After the day was done-
"It's very rude of him," she said,
"To come and spoil the fun!"
THE WALRUS
The sea was wet as wet could be,
The sands were dry as dry.
You could not see a cloud, because
No cloud was in the sky:
No birds were flying overheadThere were no birds to fly.
The Walrus and the Carpenter
Were walking close at hand:
They wept like anything to see Such quantities of sand:
"If this were only cleared away,"
They said, "it would be grand!"
"If seven maids with seven mops Swept it for half a year,
Do you suppose," the Walrus said,
"That they could get it clear?"
"Idoubt it," said the Carpenter,
Andshed abitter tear.
"Ο Oysters, come and walk with us!"
The Walrus did beseech.
"Apleasant walk, a pleasant talk,
Along the briny beach:
We cannot do with more than four,
To give a hand to each."
The eldest Oyster looked at him,
But never a word he said:
The eldest Oyster winked his eye,
And shook his heavy headMeaning to say he did not choose To leave the oyster-bed.
THE WALRUS
But four young Oysters hurried up,
All eager for the treat :
Their coats were brushed, their faces washed,
Their shoes were clean and neat
Andthis was odd, because, you know,
They hadn't any feet.
Four other Oysters followed them,
And yet another four ;
Andthick and fast they came at last,
And more, and more, and more- Allhopping through the frothy waves,
And scrambling to the shore.
The Walrus and the Carpenter Walked on a mile or so,
Andthen they rested on a rock Conveniently low:
And all the little Oysters stood Andwaited in a row.
"The time has come," the Walrus said,
"To talk of many things :
Of shoes and ships and sealing-wax- Of cabbages and kings- Andwhy the sea is boiling hot- And whether pigs have wings. "
"But wait a bit," the Oysters cried,
"Before we have our chat ;
For some of us are out of breath,
And all of us are fat ! "
"No hurry! " said the Carpenter.
They thanked him much for that.
THE WALRUS
"Aloaf of bread," the Walrus said,
"Is what we chiefly need :
Pepper and vinegar besides Are very good indeedNow, if you're ready, Oysters dear,
We can begin to feed."
"But not on us!" the Oysters cried,
Turning a little blue.
"After such kindness, that would be
Adismal thing to do!"
"The night is fine, " the Walrus said.
"Do you admire the view ?
"It was so kind of you to come!
And you were very nice!"
The Carpenter said nothing but
"Cut us another slice.
Iwish you were not quite so deafI've had to ask you twice!"
"It seems a shame," the Walrus said,
"To play them such a trick.
After we've brought them out so far,
And made them trot so quick! "
The Carpenter said nothing but
"The butter's spread too thick! "
"I weep for you," the Walrus said:
"I deeply sympathize."
With sobs and tears he sorted out
Those of the largest size,
Holding his pocket-handkerchief Before his streaming eyes.
THE TABLE AND THE CHAIR
९९"Ο Oysters," said the Carpenter,
"You've had a pleasant run !
Shall we be trotting home again ?"
But answer came there noneAnd this was scarcely odd, because They'd eaten every one.
THE TABLE AND THE CHAIR
SAIY th