The Dormouse again took a minute or two to think about it, and then said, 'It was a treacle-well.'
p. 187
Chess board.
| The sun was shining on the sea, |
| Shining with all his might: |
| He did his very best to make |
| The billows smooth and bright– |
| And this was odd, because it was |
| The middle of the night. |
| The moon was shining sulkily, |
| Because she thought the sun |
| Had got no business to be there |
| After the day was done– |
| "It's very rude of him," she said, |
| "To come and spoil the fun!" |
| The sea was wet as wet could be, |
| The sands were dry as dry. |
| You could not see a cloud, because |
| No cloud was in the sky: |
| No birds were flying overhead– |
| There were no birds to fly. |
| The Walrus and the Carpenter |
| Were walking close at hand; |
| They wept like anything to see |
| Such quantities of sand: |
| "If this were only cleared away," |
| They said, "it would be grand!" |
| "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? |
| "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 quite so deaf– |
| I've had to ask you twice!" |
| "It seems a shame," the Walrus said, |
| "To play them such a trick, |
| After we've brought them out 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 and tears he sorted out |
| Those of the largest 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 answer came there none– |
| And this was scarcely odd, because |
| They'd eaten every one. |