The Walrus and the Carpenter

THE WALRUS AND THE CARPENTER

by: Lewis Carroll (1832-1898)
 * THE sun was shining on the sea,
 * Shining with all his might;
 * He did his very best to make
 * The billows smooth and bright--
 * And this was odd, because it was
 * The middle of the night.
 * The moon was shining sulkily,
 * Because she thought the sun
 * Had got 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 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 overhead--
 * There 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?"
 * "I doubt it," said the Carpenter,
 * And shed a bitter tear.
 * "O Oysters, come and walk with us!"
 * The Walrus did beseech.
 * "A Pleasant 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 head--
 * Meaning to say he did not choose
 * To leave the oyster-bed.
 * But four young Oysters hurried up,
 * All eager for the treat;
 * Their coats were brushed, their faces washed,
 * Their shoes were clean and neat--
 * And this was odd, because, you know,
 * They hadn't any feet.
 * Four other Oysters followed them,
 * And yet another four;
 * And thick and fast they came at last,
 * And more, and more, and more--
 * All hopping through the frothy waves,
 * And scrambling to the shore.
 * The Walrus and the Carpenter
 * Walked on a mile or so,
 * And then they rested on a rock
 * Conveniently low--
 * And all the little Oysters stood
 * And waited 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 --
 * And why 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.
 * "A loaf of bread," the Walrus said,
 * "Is what we chiefly need;
 * Pepper and vinegar besides
 * Are very good indeed--
 * Now, 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
 * A dismal 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 are very nice!"
 * The Carpenter said nothing but,
 * "Cut us another slice.
 * I wish you were not quite so deaf--
 * I'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.
 * "O Oysters," said the Carpenter,
 * "You've had a pleasant run!
 * Shall we be trotting home again?"
 * But answer came there none--
 * And this was scarcely odd, because
 * They'd eaten every one.
 * 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.
 * "O Oysters," said the Carpenter,
 * "You've had a pleasant run!
 * Shall we be trotting home again?"
 * But answer came there none--
 * And this was scarcely odd, because
 * They'd eaten every one.
 * And this was scarcely odd, because
 * They'd eaten every one.