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.But the Barrister, weary of proving in vainThat the Beaver's lace-making was wrong,Fell asleep, and in dreams saw the creature quite plainThat his fancy had dwelt on so long.He dreamed that he stood in a shadowy Court,Where the Snark, with a glass in its eye,Dressed in gown, bands, and wig, was defending a pigOn the charge of deserting its sty.The Witnesses proved, without error or flaw,That the sty was deserted when found:And the Judge kept explaining the state of the lawIn a soft under-current of sound.The indictment had never been clearly expressed,And it seemed that the Snark had begun,And had spoken three hours, before any one guessedWhat the pig was supposed to have done.The Jury had each formed a different view(Long before the indictment was read),And they all spoke at once, so that none of them knewOne word that the others had said."You must know — — " said the Judge: but the Snarkexclaimed "Fudge!"That statute is obsolete quite!Let me tell you, my friends, the whole question dependsOn an ancient manorial right."In the matter of Treason the pig would appearTo have aided, but scarcely abetted:While the charge of Insolvency fails, it is clear,If you grant the plea
