... The Walrus and the Carpenter
They wept like anything to see
"If this were only cleared away,"
"If seven maids with seven mops
Do you suppose," the Walrus said,
"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.
The eldest Oyster winked his eye,
Meaning to say he did not choose
But four young oysters hurried up,
Their coats were brushed, their faces washed,
And this was odd, because, you know,
Four other Oysters followed them,
And thick and fast they came at last,
All hopping through the frothy waves,
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 --
And why the sea is boiling hot --
... "It seems a shame," the Walrus said,
After we've brought them out so far,
The Carpenter said nothing but
"I weep for you," the Walrus said.
With sobs and tears he sorted out
Holding his pocket handkerchief
"O Oysters," said the Carpenter.
Shall we be trotting home again?"
And that was scarcely odd, because
By Lewis Carroll.
[This passage, of course, is from Alice Through The Looking Glass, Ch. 4.
Lewis Carroll (1832-98) was the Pen name of Charles Dodgson. Dodgson was a lecturer in mathematics at Christ Church, Oxford; he was shy and stammering.]