THE HUNTING OF THE SNARK 77I
The Beaver brought paper, portfoUo, pens,
And ink in unf aiUng suppUes
While strange creepy creatures came out of their dens,
And watched them with wondering eyes.
So engrossed was the Butcher, he heeded them not.
As he wrote with a pen in each hand.
And explained all the while in a popular style
Which the Beaver could well understand.
"Taking Three as the subject to reason about
—
A convenient number to state
We add Seven, and Ten, and then multiply out
By One Thousand diminished by Eight.
"The result we proceed to divide, as you see.
By Nine Hundred and Ninety and Two:
Then subtract Seventeen, and the answer must be
Exactly and perfectly true.
"The method employed I would gladly explain.
While I have it so clear in my head.
If I had but the time and you had but the brain
—
But much yet remains to be said.
"In one moment I've seen what has hitherto been
Enveloped in absolute mystery.
And without extra charge I will give you at large
A Lesson in Natural History."
In his genial way he proceeded to say
(Forgetting all laws of propriety,
And that giving instruction, without introduction.
Would have caused quite a thrill in Society),​

​

77^2VERSE
"As to temper the Jubjub's a desperate bird.
Since it lives in perpetual passion:
Its taste in costume is entirely absurd
It is ages ahead of the fashion
"But it knows any friend it has met once before:
It never will look at a bribe

And in charity-meetings it stands at the door,
And collects—though it does not subscribe.
"Its flavour when cooked is more exquisite far
Than mutton, or oysters, or eggs:
(Some think it keeps best in an ivory jar,
And some, in mahogany kegs:)
"You boil it in sawdust: you salt it in glue:
You condense it with locusts and tape:
Still keeping one principal object in view

To preserve its symmetrical shape."
The Butcher would gladly have talked till next day,
But he felt that the Lesson must end.
And he wept with delight in attempting to say
He considered the Beaver his friend
While the Beaver confessed, with affectionate looks
More eloquent even than tears.
It had learned in ten minutes far more than all books
Would have taught it in seventy years.
They returned hand-in-hand, and the Bellman, unmanned
(For a moment) with noble emotion,
Said "This amply repays all the wearisome days
We have spent on the billowy ocean!"