THE HUNTING OF THE SNARK, an Agony in Eight Fits:--
I.
Lewis Carroll
* * * * *
Girt with a boyish garb for boyish task,
Eager she wields her spade: yet loves as well
Rest on a friendly knee, intent to ask
The tale one loves to tell.
Rude scoffer of the seething outer strife,
Unmeet to read her pure and simple spright,
Deem, if thou wilt, such hours a waste of life,
Empty of all delight!
Chat on, sweet Maid, and rescue from annoy
Hearts that by wiser talk are unbeguiled;
Ah, happy he who owns that tenderest joy,
The heart-love of a child!
Away, fond thoughts, and vex my soul no more!
Work claims my wakeful nights, my busy days
Albeit bright memories of that sunlit shore
Yet haunt my dreaming gaze!
[Of the following poems, ECHOES, A GAME OF FIVES, the last three of the
FOUR RIDDLES, and FAME'S PENNY-TRUMPET, are here published for the first
time. The others have all appeared before, as have also the illustrations
to THE HUNTING OF THE SNARK.]
CONTENTS.
PAGE
PHANTASMAGORIA, in Seven Cantos:--
I. The Trystyng 1
II. Hys Fyve Rules 10
III. Scarmoges 18
IV. Hys Nouryture 26
V. Byckerment 34
VI. Dyscomfyture 44
VII.
Sad Souvenaunce 53
ECHOES 58
A SEA DIRGE 59
Y{E} CARPETTE KNYGHTE 64
HIAWATHA'S PHOTOGRAPHING 66
MELANCHOLETTA
78
A VALENTINE 84
THE THREE VOICES:--
The First Voice 87
The Second Voice 98
The Third Voice 109
TEMA CON VARIAZIONI 118
A GAME OF FIVES 120
POETA FIT, NON NASCITUR 123
THE HUNTING OF THE SNARK, an Agony in Eight Fits:--
I.
THE LANDING 134
II. THE BELLMAN'S SPEECH 142
III. THE BAKER'S TALE 148
IV. THE HUNTING 153
V. THE BEAVER'S LESSON 159
VI. THE BARRISTER'S DREAM 167
VII. THE BANKER'S FATE 173
VIII. THE VANISHING 177
SIZE AND TEARS 181
ATALANTA IN CAMDEN TOWN 186
THE LANG COORTIN' 190
FOUR RIDDLES 202
FAME'S PENNY-TRUMPET 211
PHANTASMAGORIA.
CANTO I.
The Trystyng.
One winter night, at half-past nine,
Cold, tired, and cross, and muddy,
I had come home, too late to dine,
And supper, with cigars and wine,
Was waiting in the study.
There was a strangeness in the room,
And Something white and wavy
Was standing near me in the gloom--
_I_ took it for the carpet-broom
Left by that careless slavey.
[Illustration]
But presently the Thing began
To shiver and to sneeze:
On which I said "Come, come, my man!
That's a most inconsiderate plan.
Less noise there, if you please!
