The Complete Works of Lewis Carroll :: :: University of Virginia Library

“To the Looking-Glass world it was Alice that said
‘I've a sceptre in hand I've a crown on my head.
Let the Looking-Glass creatures, whatever they be
Come and dine with the Red Queen, the White Queen, and me!’”

“Then fill up the glasses as quick as you can,
And sprinkle the table with buttons and bran:
Put cats in the coffee, and mice in the tea—
And welcome Queen Alice with thirty-times-three!”

“‘O Looking-Glass creatures,’ quoth Alice, draw near!
'Tis an honour to see me, a favour to hear:

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'Tis a privilege high to have dinner and tea
Along with the Red Queen, the White Queen, and me!’”

“Then fill up the glasses with treacle and ink,
Or anything else that is pleasant to drink:
Mix sand with the cider, and wool with the wine—
And welcome Queen Alice with ninety-times-nine!”

263

[“‘First, the fish must be caught.’]

“‘First, the fish must be caught.’
That is easy: a baby, I think, could have caught it.

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‘Next, the fish must be bought.’
That is easy: a penny, I think, would have bought it.

‘Now cook me the fish!’
That is easy, and will not take more than a minute.
‘Let it lie in a dish!’
That is easy, because it already is in it.

‘Bring it here! Let me sup!’
It is easy to set such a dish on the table.
‘Take the dish-cover up!’
Ah, that is so hard that I fear I'm unable!

For it holds it like glue—
Holds the lid to the dish, while it lies in the middle:
Which is easiest to do,
Un-dish-cover the fish, or dishcover the riddle?”