Lewis Carroll Poems

The Bellman's Speech

The Bellman himself they all praised to the skies--
Such a carriage, such ease and such grace!
...

I'll tell thee everything I can;
There's little to relate,
I saw an aged, aged man,
...

Man Naturally loves delay,
And to procrastinate;
Business put off from day to day
Is always done to late.
...

Matilda Jane, you never look
At any toy or picture-book.
I show you pretty things in vain
You must be blind, Matilda Jane!
...

The Hunting


The Bellman looked uffish, and wrinkled his brow.
...

'Tis the voice of the Lobster: I heard him declare
'You have baked me too brown, I must sugar my hair.'
As a duck with its eyelids, so he with his nose
Trims his belt and his buttons, and turns out his toes.
...

I'll tell thee everything I can;
There's little to relate.
I saw an aged, aged man,
A-sitting on a gate.
...

'Will you walk a little faster?' said a whiting to a snail,
'There's a porpoise close behind us, and he's treading on my tail.
See how eagerly the lobsters and the turtles all advance!
...

The Banker's Fate

They sought it with thimbles, they sought it with care;
They pursued it with forks and hope;
...

The Milk-and-Water School
Alas! she would not hear my prayer!
Yet it were rash to tear my hair;
Disfigured, I should be less fair.
...