Lewis Carroll

Rhyme? And Reason? Lewis Carroll

While, for those who preferred a more forcible word, He had different names from these: His intimate friends called him "Candle-ends," And his enemies "Toasted-cheese." "His form is ungainly-his intellect small-" (So the Bellman would often remark)- "But his courage is perfect! And that, after all, Is the thing that one needs with a Snark." He would joke with hyænas, returning their stare With an impudent ag of the head: And he once went a walk, paw-in-paw, with a bear,"Just to keep up its spirits," he said. He came as a Baker: but owned, when too late- And it drove the poor Bellman half-mad- He could only bake Bride-cake-for which, I may state, No materials were to be had. The last of the crew needs especial remark, Though he looked an incredible dunce: He had just one idea-but, that one being "Snark," The good Bellman engaged him at once.