Читать книгу Охота на Снарка. Пища для ума - Льюис Кэрролл, Льюїс Керролл, Furniss Harry - Страница 8

They sought it with thimbles, they sought it with care;

         They pursued it with forks and hope;

They threatened its life with a railway-share;

         They charmed it with smiles and soap.

And the Banker, inspired with a courage so new

         It was matter for general remark,

Rushed madly ahead and was lost to their view

         In his zeal to discover the Snark

But while he was seeking with thimbles and care,

         A Bandersnatch swiftly drew nigh

And grabbed at the Banker, who shrieked in despair,

         For he knew it was useless to fly.

He offered large discount – he offered a cheque

         (Drawn “to bearer”) for seven-pounds-ten:

But the Bandersnatch merely extended its neck

         And grabbed at the Banker again.

Without rest or pause – while those frumious jaws

         Went savagely snapping around —

He skipped and he hopped, and he floundered

                                                        and flopped,

         Till fainting he fell to the ground.

The Bandersnatch fled as the others appeared

         Led on by that fear-stricken yell:

And the Bellman remarked “It is just as I feared!”

         And solemnly tolled on his bell.

He was black in the face, and they scarcely could trace

         The least likeness to what he had been:

While so great was his fright that his waistcoat turned

                                                                   white —

         A wonderful thing to be seen!

To the horror of all who were present that day,

         He uprose in full evening dress,

And with senseless grimaces endeavoured to say

         What his tongue could no longer express.

Down he sank in a chair – ran his hands through his

                                                                      hair —

         And chanted in mimsiest tones

Words whose utter inanity proved his insanity,

         While he rattled a couple of bones.

“Leave him here to his fate – it is getting so late!”

         The Bellman exclaimed in a fright.

“We have lost half the day. Any further delay,

         And we sha’n’t catch a Snark before night!”