Hebrew — I said it in Dutch -
I said it in German and Greek:But I wholly forgot (and it vexes me much)That English is what you speak!""'Tis a pitiful tale," said the Bellman, whose faceHad grown longer at every word:"But, now that you've stated the whole of your case,More debate would be simply absurd."The rest of my speech" (he explained to his men)"You shall hear when I've leisure to speak it.But the Snark is at hand, let me tell you again!'Tis your glorious duty to seek it!"To seek it with thimbles, to seek it with care;To pursue it with forks and hope;To threaten its life with a railway-share;To charm it with smiles and soap!"For the Snark's a peculiar creature, that won'tBe caught in a commonplace way.Do all that you know, and try all that you don't:Not a chance must be wasted to-day!"For England expects — I forbear to proceed:'Tis a maxim tremendous, but trite:And you'd best be unpacking the things that you needTo rig yourselves out for the fight."Then the Banker endorsed a blank check (which he crossed),And changed his loose silver for notes.The Baker with care combed his whiskers and hair,And shook the dust out of his coats.The Boots and the Broker were sharpening a spade -Each working the grindstone in turn:But the Beaver went on making lace, and displayedNo interest in the concern:Though the Barrister tried to appeal to its pride,And vainly proceeded to citeA number of cases, in which making lacesHad been proved an infringement of right.The maker of Bonnets ferociously plannedA novel arrangement of bows:While the Billiard-marker with quivering handWas chalking the tip of his nose.But the Butcher turned nervous, and dressed himself fine,With yellow kid gloves and a ruff -Said