Page:Through the Looking-Glass, and What Alice Found There.djvu/228

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QUEEN ALICE.

The White Queen laughed with delight, and stroked Alice's cheek. Then she began:


"'First, the fish must be caught.'
That is easy: a baby, I think, could have caught it.
'Next, the fish must be bought.'
That is easy: a penny, I think, would have bought it.


'Now cook me the fish!'
That is easy, and will not take more than a minute.
'Let it lie in a dish!'
That is easy, because it already is in it.


'Bring it here! Let me sup!'
It is easy to set such a dish on the table.
'Take the dish-cover up!'
Ah, that is so hard that I fear I'm unable!


For it holds it like glue——
Holds the lid to the dish, while it lies in the middle
Which is easiest to do,
Un-dish-cover the fish, or dishcover the riddle?"