Page:Collingwood - Life and Letters of Lewis Carroll.djvu/62

 And sorely do they labour,
 * For the steed is very strong,

And backward moves its stubborn feet, And backward ever doth retreat,
 * And drags its guides along.



And now the knight hath mounted
 * Before the admiring band,

Hath got the stirrups on his feet,
 * The bridle in his hand.

Yet, oh! beware, sir horseman!
 * And tempt thy fate no more,

For such a steed as thou hast got,
 * Was never rid before!

The rabbits bow before thee, And cower in the straw;

The chickens are submissive,
 * And own thy will for law;



Bullfinches and canary
 * Thy bidding do obey;

And e'en the tortoise in its shell
 * Doth never say thee nay.

But thy steed will hear no master,
 * Thy steed will bear no stick,

And woe to those that beat her,
 * And woe to those that kick!