Classic Poem

Lewis Carroll

“You are wise, Mr. Dodgson,” the young child said,
‘And your forehead is getting a wrinkle;
And yet you've so twinkling an eye in your head—
I'm wondering what makes it twinkle?’

‘In my youth,’ Mr. Dodgson replied to the child,
‘I acquired mathematical habits
To keep my odd thoughts from becoming as wild
As March Hares, and as frequent as Rabbits.’

‘You are wise, Lewis Carroll,’ the child said again,
‘And the College you live in is hoary;
But if you've such numbers of thoughts in your brain—
Do you think you could tell me a story?’

‘In my youth, if you must know the truth,’ whispered he,
‘I kept those same thoughts very supple
By letting my stories run quite fancy-free—
Allow me to tell you a couple!’English