Fit the Seventh: The Banker’s Fate
- The Barrister’s Dream
- The Hunting of the Snark
- The Vanishing
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- 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 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.
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- 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.
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- 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!”
- The Barrister’s Dream
- The Hunting of the Snark
- The Vanishing
