The Walrus and the Carpenter
Lewis Carroll
"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 moon was shining sulkily,
Because she thought the sun
Had got no business to be there
"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 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
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,
O Oysters, come and walk with us!'
A pleasant walk, a pleasant talk,
We cannot do with more than four,
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
But four young Oysters hurried up,
Their coats were brushed, their faces washed,
Their shoes were clean and neat —
And this was odd, because, you know,
Four other Oysters followed them,
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
And then they rested on a rock
And all the little Oysters stood
The time has come,' the Walrus said,
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,
For some of us are out of breath,
No hurry!' said the Carpenter.
They thanked him much for that.
A loaf of bread,' the Walrus said,
Pepper and vinegar besides
Now if you're ready, Oysters dear,
But not on us!' the Oysters cried,
After such kindness, that would be
The night is fine,' the Walrus said.
It was so kind of you to come!
The Carpenter said nothing but
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:
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