Page:Carroll - Rhyme and Reason.djvu/162

146 "We have sailed many months, we have sailed many weeks,
 * (Four weeks to the month you may mark),

But never as yet ('tis your Captain who speaks)
 * Have we caught the least glimpse of a Snark!

"We have sailed many weeks, we have sailed many days,
 * (Seven days to the week I allow),

But a Snark, on the which we might lovingly gaze,
 * We have never beheld till now!

"Come, listen, my men, while I tell you again
 * The five unmistakable marks

By which you may know, wheresoever you go,
 * The warranted genuine Snarks.

Let us take them in order. The first is the taste,
 * Which is meagre and hollow, but crisp:

Like a coat that is rather too tight in the waist,
 * With a flavour of Will-o-the wisp.

"Its habit of getting up late you'll agree
 * That it carries too far, when I say

That it frequently breakfasts at five o'clock tea,
 * And dines on the following day.