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.
And Something white and wavy
Was standing near me in the gloom--
_I_ took it for the carpet-broom
Left by that careless slavey.
Lewis Carroll
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! "
"I've caught a cold," the Thing replies,
"Out there upon the landing. "
I turned to look in some surprise,
And there, before my very eyes,
A little Ghost was standing!
He trembled when he caught my eye,
And got behind a chair.
"How came you here," I said, "and why?
I never saw a thing so shy.
Come out! Don't shiver there! "
He said "I'd gladly tell you how,
And also tell you why;
But" (here he gave a little bow)
"You're in so bad a temper now,
You'd think it all a lie.
"And as to being in a fright,
Allow me to remark
That Ghosts have just as good a right,
In every way, to fear the light,
As Men to fear the dark. "
"No plea," said I, "can well excuse
Such cowardice in you:
For Ghosts can visit when they choose,
Whereas we Humans ca'n't refuse
To grant the interview. "
He said "A flutter of alarm
Is not unnatural, is it?
I really feared you meant some harm:
But, now I see that you are calm,
Let me explain my visit.
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! "
"I've caught a cold," the Thing replies,
"Out there upon the landing. "
I turned to look in some surprise,
And there, before my very eyes,
A little Ghost was standing!
He trembled when he caught my eye,
And got behind a chair.
"How came you here," I said, "and why?
I never saw a thing so shy.
Come out! Don't shiver there! "
He said "I'd gladly tell you how,
And also tell you why;
But" (here he gave a little bow)
"You're in so bad a temper now,
You'd think it all a lie.
"And as to being in a fright,
Allow me to remark
That Ghosts have just as good a right,
In every way, to fear the light,
As Men to fear the dark. "
"No plea," said I, "can well excuse
Such cowardice in you:
For Ghosts can visit when they choose,
Whereas we Humans ca'n't refuse
To grant the interview. "
He said "A flutter of alarm
Is not unnatural, is it?
I really feared you meant some harm:
But, now I see that you are calm,
Let me explain my visit.
