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Bozvotros

(791 posts)
171. The Walrus and the Carpenter - Lewis Carroll
Sun May 27, 2018, 06:35 PM
May 2018

Lewis Carroll had these guys pegged. Even penned a whole poem about Trump / Pence and the little oysters who follow them.

The Walrus and the Carpenter


By Lewis Carroll
"The sun was shining on the sea,
Shining with all his might:
He did his very best to make
The billows smooth and bright —
And this was odd, because it was
The middle of the night.

The moon was shining sulkily,
Because she thought the sun
Had got no business to be there
After the day was done —
"It's very rude of him," she said,
"To come and spoil the fun."

The sea was wet as wet could be,
The sands were dry as dry.
You could not see a cloud, because
No cloud was in the sky:
No birds were flying overhead —
There were no birds to fly.

The Walrus and the Carpenter
Were walking close at hand;
They wept like anything to see
Such quantities of sand:
If this were only cleared away,'
They said, it would be grand!'

If seven maids with seven mops
Swept it for half a year,
Do you suppose,' the Walrus said,
That they could get it clear?'
I doubt it,' said the Carpenter,
And shed a bitter tear.

O Oysters, come and walk with us!'
The Walrus did beseech.
A pleasant walk, a pleasant talk,
Along the briny beach:
We cannot do with more than four,
To give a hand to each.'

The eldest Oyster looked at him,
But never a word he said:
The eldest Oyster winked his eye,
And shook his heavy head —
Meaning to say he did not choose
To leave the oyster-bed.

But four young Oysters hurried up,
All eager for the treat:
Their coats were brushed, their faces washed,
Their shoes were clean and neat —
And this was odd, because, you know,
They hadn't any feet.

Four other Oysters followed them,
And yet another four;
And thick and fast they came at last,
And more, and more, and more —
All hopping through the frothy waves,
And scrambling to the shore.

The Walrus and the Carpenter
Walked on a mile or so,
And then they rested on a rock
Conveniently low:
And all the little Oysters stood
And waited in a row.

The time has come,' the Walrus said,
To talk of many things:
Of shoes — and ships — and sealing-wax —
Of cabbages — and kings —
And why the sea is boiling hot —
And whether pigs have wings.'

But wait a bit,' the Oysters cried,
Before we have our chat;
For some of us are out of breath,
And all of us are fat!'
No hurry!' said the Carpenter.
They thanked him much for that.

A loaf of bread,' the Walrus said,
Is what we chiefly need:
Pepper and vinegar besides
Are very good indeed —
Now if you're ready, Oysters dear,
We can begin to feed.'

But not on us!' the Oysters cried,
Turning a little blue.
After such kindness, that would be
A dismal thing to do!'
The night is fine,' the Walrus said.
Do you admire the view?

It was so kind of you to come!
And you are very nice!'
The Carpenter said nothing but
Cut us another slice:
I wish you were not quite so deaf —
I've had to ask you twice!'

It seems a shame,' the Walrus said,
To play them such a trick,
After we've brought them out so far,
And made them trot so quick!'
The Carpenter said nothing but
The butter's spread too thick!'

I weep for you,' the Walrus said:
I deeply sympathize.'
With sobs and tears he sorted out
Those of the largest size,
Holding his pocket-handkerchief
Before his streaming eyes.

O Oysters,' said the Carpenter,
You've had a pleasant run!
Shall we be trotting home again?'
But answer came there none —
And this was scarcely odd, because
They'd eaten every one."

e. e. cummings gratuitous May 2018 #1
Lewis Carrol... The Jabberwocky. revmclaren May 2018 #2
This message was self-deleted by its author Snotcicles May 2018 #68
"Twas brillig, and the slithy toves" A HERETIC I AM May 2018 #86
Just as an aside.... LisaM May 2018 #135
Round the decay sir pball May 2018 #3
Ozymandias, part 1. guillaumeb May 2018 #34
Absolutely. There's a whole beautiful poem already written about this bastard. Dave Starsky May 2018 #98
From Percy SoCalDem May 2018 #4
This message was self-deleted by its author red dog 1 May 2018 #17
Perfect malaise May 2018 #18
That's the one I thought of catrose May 2018 #79
There are words to describe you but I find this most applicable. cornball 24 May 2018 #5
Some men make passes trof May 2018 #6
+ 10 salin May 2018 #8
Recommended. guillaumeb May 2018 #35
+1. Music for the soul right there dalton99a May 2018 #49
Dear Mr. Trump, Fuck Off USALiberal May 2018 #7
Christopher Smart: Jubilate Agno ProudLib72 May 2018 #9
Fucking America is essential Because it feels so damn good Honesty, less so Kaleva May 2018 #10
Alternatively, Eliot: The Hollow Men ProudLib72 May 2018 #11
+++11111 zentrum May 2018 #173
There was an old man in D.C. / Whose dementia was frightening to see... Hekate May 2018 #12
And the rest? guillaumeb May 2018 #36
Was actually hoping someone else would oblige. My first thought was actually from TS Eliot... Hekate May 2018 #40
I see outrage, loud voices, and a wave coming. guillaumeb May 2018 #42
Maybe I can contribute... 3catwoman3 May 2018 #151
Line 5: That dreadful old man from DC Hekate May 2018 #156
I tried to come up with something... 3catwoman3 May 2018 #160
For most it was clear BlancheSplanchnik May 2018 #178
All of you are choosing most excellent verses. Hekate May 2018 #13
''Idiot wind, Blowing every time you move your mouth ... '' Donkees May 2018 #14
I've got nothin', but I found a great site where people tweeted Vinca May 2018 #15
Thanks for that link red dog 1 May 2018 #22
From Paradise Lost NotASurfer May 2018 #16
Pretty much the entirety of King Lear Nevernose May 2018 #19
Hark Hark the dogs do bark tavernier May 2018 #20
Excellent. zentrum May 2018 #174
There once was a man from Trump Tower boston bean May 2018 #21
There once was a pervert from Queens red dog 1 May 2018 #24
I wrote a limerick about him The Blue Flower May 2018 #23
I like it! red dog 1 May 2018 #27
I wrote a limerick about him back in November, 2016 - right after he stole the presidency red dog 1 May 2018 #29
"What a piece of work is man!"... SidDithers May 2018 #25
From Esther Leclerc ... ananda May 2018 #26
"I got old & shit in my pants" Fozzledick May 2018 #28
The Cremation of our Liberty Botany May 2018 #30
Creation of Sam McGeejust great kiri May 2018 #73
+ 1000 red dog 1 May 2018 #95
Feel Free to spread it all you want Botany May 2018 #96
I will be sure to credit Robert Service red dog 1 May 2018 #103
Now Donald Trump and his big fat rump, was born in the borough of Queens red dog 1 May 2018 #131
". . .and miles to go before [this asshole is gone and] I [can] sleep." n/t Stargleamer May 2018 #31
"The time has come," the Walrus said, "to talk of many things: struggle4progress May 2018 #32
I like your signature line red dog 1 May 2018 #41
Vote for Gracie! struggle4progress May 2018 #47
Gracie Allen said about being born.. Permanut May 2018 #65
Ogden Nash DeminPennswoods May 2018 #33
"You knew damn well I was a snake before you took me in" oberliner May 2018 #37
Apropos because it was yet another of his many projections. flibbitygiblets May 2018 #83
Exactly oberliner May 2018 #87
Things fall apart, the center cannot hold. The Velveteen Ocelot May 2018 #38
Reminds me of Shitler's hair red dog 1 May 2018 #43
The best lack all conviction while the worst/ are full of passionate intensity. tclambert May 2018 #112
And what rough beast, its hour come round at last, Stonepounder May 2018 #167
Such literate people Hekate May 2018 #39
The best lack all conviction and the worst are full of meadowlander May 2018 #44
Yes, this one from W.B. Yeats yonder May 2018 #54
This Leighbythesea May 2018 #64
Yes, that's the one I always think of. The Velveteen Ocelot May 2018 #113
Yep, the question of the last two lines has been answered... malthaussen May 2018 #123
Yes! Thank you. I've been trying to remember who wrote this! n/t pnwmom May 2018 #138
"There is no joy in Dumbfuckistan, Mighty Donnie has struck out". oasis May 2018 #45
hhgttg LSFL May 2018 #46
Prostetnic Vogon Jeltz? oberliner May 2018 #48
indeed! LSFL May 2018 #50
Here's the whole poem oberliner May 2018 #51
"Like jowling meated liverslime" yonder May 2018 #57
nice! tyvm! LSFL May 2018 #61
guaranteed to make one wish for the sweet death of near vacuum of outer space. -n/t lapfog_1 May 2018 #152
Glad there are so many Hitchhiker's Guide fans around here! oberliner May 2018 #166
"Epitaph on a Tyrant," by W. H. Auden, 1939 VOX May 2018 #52
The poets know. Hekate May 2018 #157
With apologies to W. Shakespeare Glorfindel May 2018 #53
"You sad, pathetic man, see where you've brought us to, Aristus May 2018 #55
Perfect. In_The_Wind May 2018 #58
Hi, I-T-W! Aristus May 2018 #60
Right back atcha, Aristus In_The_Wind May 2018 #62
When ill seed has been sown, so an ill crop will spring from it. (Njal's Saga, c.114) airmid May 2018 #56
"Life...is a tale told by an idiot, lunatica May 2018 #59
But I think the most likely reason of all mainstreetonce May 2018 #63
limerick NellieStarbuck May 2018 #66
Welcome to DU! red dog 1 May 2018 #91
Roses are red, violets are blue; and fuck you. Garrett78 May 2018 #67
This message was self-deleted by its author Plucketeer May 2018 #69
This message was self-deleted by its author Plucketeer May 2018 #71
Sir Walter Scott stevenleser May 2018 #70
Excellent! red dog 1 May 2018 #89
Thou shall not lie LakeArenal May 2018 #72
Does it say anything about coveting your own daughter? tclambert May 2018 #115
Ugh! Where has all the smiting gone? LakeArenal May 2018 #117
"Roses are red.. LudwigPastorius May 2018 #74
Mind if I complete that? red dog 1 May 2018 #92
Do music lyrics count? LiberalLovinLug May 2018 #75
the slithy toves did gyre and gimble in the wabe JustAnotherGen May 2018 #76
And there in the woods ploppy May 2018 #77
"The centre will not hold!" nt Atticus May 2018 #78
Our first president chopped down a cherry tree Soxfan58 May 2018 #80
How do I screw thee? lpbk2713 May 2018 #81
When you can keep your head while those around you are losing theirs....then you will be c-rational May 2018 #82
Shakespeare: "Thou sodden-witted lord! Thou hast no more brain than I have in mine elbows." malchickiwick May 2018 #84
+ 1000 red dog 1 May 2018 #93
Auden, maybe? Straw Man May 2018 #85
Here's a song instead: If I had the wings of an eagle. . . DinahMoeHum May 2018 #88
LOL red dog 1 May 2018 #99
Here Are a Couple Leith May 2018 #90
Oh, what a tangled head of weave, this man we elected to deceive. lame54 May 2018 #94
Here I sit broken hearted geardaddy May 2018 #97
His complexion is perfect gallows... Demsrule86 May 2018 #100
There once was a lad would could pucker........... Dyedinthewoolliberal May 2018 #101
Humpty Dumpty Freethinker65 May 2018 #102
Oh Celia Celia Celia GaryCnf May 2018 #104
I sing of olaf glad and big TallMike May 2018 #105
An immediate reaction to our current commander-in-chief, in hopes it will all be over soon kskiska May 2018 #106
The Mask of Evil marlakay May 2018 #107
Can I post a song lyric instead? muriel_volestrangler May 2018 #108
Ozymandias By Percy Bysshe Shelley vlyons May 2018 #109
Another good one. The Velveteen Ocelot May 2018 #116
"I am determined to be a villain..." First Speaker May 2018 #110
mene mene tekel vlyons May 2018 #111
Kahlil Gibran green917 May 2018 #114
Red BlueTexasMan May 2018 #118
Richard III SleeplessinSoCal May 2018 #119
oh ok rtracey May 2018 #120
There was a crooked man, and he walked a crooked mile. mia May 2018 #121
Robert Burns, "A parcel of rogues" Fortinbras Armstrong May 2018 #122
Everything Shakespeare wrote was pure poetry. Nitram May 2018 #124
How about a whole poem? Auden's "Epitaph on a Tyrant" QC May 2018 #125
This one will be appropriate when Trump dies (I also want to use it at Cheney's death) Fortinbras Armstrong May 2018 #126
"Have you seen the bigger piggies In their starched white shirts..." FailureToCommunicate May 2018 #127
something wicked this way comes. Kurt V. May 2018 #128
Good one! red dog 1 May 2018 #133
"O what a tangled web we tweet, when we lie in every tweet, each and every day of the week!" usaf-vet May 2018 #129
Ahem... gay texan May 2018 #130
----- Onyrleft May 2018 #132
Joseph Heller, "Catch-22" Lady_Chat May 2018 #134
Auden BobTheSubgenius May 2018 #136
The Peace of Wild Things - Wendell Berry Nay May 2018 #137
Speaking of hope for better times: Jefferson on the "Reign of Witches" Lady_Chat May 2018 #140
I think this was after the passage of the Alien and Sedition Act... Hekate May 2018 #159
This Hekate May 2018 #158
Great thread! I love DUers! lunatica May 2018 #139
Shakespeare would have lambasted Trump Generic Other May 2018 #141
I'd rather not dignify him... malthaussen May 2018 #142
Trump and Putin sitting in a tree Uncle Joe May 2018 #143
You're welcome red dog 1 May 2018 #176
"Don't let it bring you down; it's only castles burning." Chemisse May 2018 #144
DUMP IS A TRAITOROUS DOUCHE BAG. AZ8theist May 2018 #145
Nevermore sorcrow May 2018 #146
out out damn spot samnsara May 2018 #147
This message was self-deleted by its author Texin May 2018 #148
"To live outside the law, you must be honest." Bob Dylan ancianita May 2018 #149
My Contribution ... kooth May 2018 #150
The Stalin Epigram by Osip Mandelstam janterry May 2018 #153
Here I sit Broken Hearted.... jpak May 2018 #154
Verse 3 from Robert Burns "A Man's A Man" DownFromTheMountain May 2018 #155
Fuck You Rump. That is all. Kirk Lover May 2018 #161
Hey hi - why don't you lie? ooky May 2018 #162
A collaboration from Hekate and 3cat - 3catwoman3 May 2018 #163
I'm not a poetry person, but I know show tunes MurrayDelph May 2018 #164
My own, a haiku icymist May 2018 #165
O hideous little bat, the size of snot Marthe48 May 2018 #168
Sir Walter Scott demigoddess May 2018 #169
Me tazkcmo May 2018 #170
The Walrus and the Carpenter - Lewis Carroll Bozvotros May 2018 #171
The Second Coming - Yeats AnnieBW May 2018 #172
From Willie The Shake The Wizard May 2018 #175
The Bard has much to say about the likes of Trump Hekate May 2018 #179
From "The Race" by Owen Pallenberg red dog 1 May 2018 #177
"We are the greatest city, the greatest nation: nothing like us ever was." alfredo May 2018 #180
Roses are red, violets are blue, Trump is orange and soon impeached too! NCLefty Sep 2019 #181
Yes we do! red dog 1 Sep 2019 #182
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