Page:Complete Works of Lewis Carroll.djvu/815

And sorely do they labour,
For the steed^[1] is very strong,
And backward moves its stubborn feet,
And backward ever doth retreat,
 And drags its guides along.

And now the knight hath mounted,
 Before the admiring band,
Hath got the stirrups on his feet,
 The bridle in his hand.
Yet, oh! beware, sir horseman!
 And tempt thy fate no more,
For such a steed as thou hast got
 Was never rid before!

The rabbits bow before thee,
 And cower in the straw;
The chickens^[2] are submissive,
 And own thy will for law;
Bullfinches and canary
 Thy bidding do obey;
And e'en the tortoise in its shell
 Doth never say thee nay.

But thy steed will hear no master,
 Thy steed will bear no stick,
And woe to those that beat her,
 And woe to those that kick!^[3]
For though her rider smite her,
 As hard as he can hit,
And strive to turn her from the yard,

1. The poet entreats pardon for having represented a donkey under this dignified name.
2. A full account of the history and misfortunes of these interesting creatures may be found in the first "Lay of Sorrow."
3. It is a singular fact that a donkey makes a point of returning any kicks offered to it.