Page:Carroll - Rhyme and Reason.djvu/110

94 :The world is but a Thought," said he: "The vast unfathomable sea Is but a Notion—unto me."

And darkly fell her answer dread Upon his unresisting head, Like half a hundredweight of lead.

"The Good and Great must ever shun That reckless and abandoned one Who stoops to perpetrate a pun.

"The man that smokes—that reads the Times— That goes to Christmas Pantomimes— Is capable of any crimes!"

He felt it was his turn to speak, And, with a shamed and crimson cheek, Moaned "This is harder than Bezique!"

But when she asked him "Wherefore so?" He felt his very whiskers glow, And frankly owned "I do not know."