Bush World or Through the Looking-Glass

[133724]

"The time has come" the Walrus said
"To talk of many things:
Of shoes & ships & sealing wax
Of cabbages & 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 chiefly what we need:
Pepper & 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 a 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 so deaf--
I've had to ask you twice"

"It seems a shame" the Walrus said,
"To play them such a trick,
After all we've brought then 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 & tears he sorted out
Those of the larges 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 answers came there none--
And that was scarcely odd, because
they'd eaten every one.


Courtesy of Project Gutenberg....