Page:Carroll - Rhyme and Reason.djvu/170

154 "You may charge me with murder—or want of sense—
 * (We are all of us weak at times):

But the slightest approach to a false pretence
 * Was never among my crimes!

"I said it in Hebrew—I said it in Dutch—
 * I said it in German and Greek:

But I wholly forgot (and it vexes me much)
 * That English is what you speak!"

Tis a pitiful tale," said the Bellman, whose face
 * Had grown longer at every word:

"But, now that you've stated the whole of your case,
 * More debate would be simply absurd.

"The rest of my speech" (he explained to his men)
 * "You shall hear when I've leisure to speak it.

But the Snark is at hand, let me tell you again!
 * 'Tis your glorious duty to seek it!

"To seek it with thimbles, to seek it with care;
 * To pursue it with forks and hope;

To threaten its life with a railway-share;
 * To charm it with smiles and soap!