Lewis Carroll: Through the Looking Glass

CHAPTER 4: TWEEDLEDUM AND TWEEDLEDEE (continued)

            "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?