Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Oysters

I am not a fan of oysters having been poisoned by one a few years ago. The mention of the word always makes me think of these lines from Lewis Carroll:

"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.

4 Comments:

Blogger mrsnesbitt said...

How strange! I posted this poem not so long ago. Apparantly it originated from a visit to Northumberland...what a small world eh?

11:20 am  
Blogger kinglear said...

I love being in France in months with an "R" in them - all the oysters etc etc on the ice outside the restaurants. Yummy!

12:57 pm  
Blogger Mopsa said...

I've always loved those verses, and think of them when I pick mussels on Northcott Mouth beach

7:28 pm  
Blogger Welshcakes Limoncello said...

I don't like oysters either but thank you for reminding me of a favourite verse.

12:38 am  

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