Page:Carroll - Rhyme and Reason.djvu/185

Rh The Witnesses proved, without error or flaw,
 * That the sty was deserted when found:

And the Judge kept explaining the state of the law
 * In a soft under-current of sound.

The indictment had never been clearly expressed,
 * And it seemed that the Snark had begun,

And had spoken three hours, before any one guessed
 * What the pig was supposed to have done.

The Jury had each formed a different view
 * (Long before the indictment was read),

And they all spoke at once, so that none of them knew
 * One word that the others had said.

"You must know—" said the Judge: but the Snark exclaimed "Fudge!
 * That statute is obsolete quite!

Let me tell you, my friends, the whole question depends
 * On an ancient manorial right.

"In the matter of Treason the pig would appear
 * To have aided, but scarcely abetted: