As it is National Poetry Day, I thought I would share my favourite poem with you all.
This poem I had to learn off by heart when I was young for a recitement in a school assembly, and I remember it all - word for word - to this day.
Here it is in full...'jabberwocky'
`Twas brillig, and the slithy toves Did gyre and gimble in the wabe:All mimsy were the borogoves, And the mome raths outgrabe.
"Beware the Jabberwock, my son! The jaws that bite, the claws that catch!Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun The frumious Bandersnatch!"
"Beware the Jabberwock, my son! The jaws that bite, the claws that catch!Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun The frumious Bandersnatch!"
He took his vorpal sword in hand: Long time the manxome foe he sought --So rested he by the Tumtum tree, And stood awhile in thought.
And, as in uffish thought he stood, The Jabberwock, with eyes of flame,Came whiffling through the tulgey wood, And burbled as it came!
One, two! One, two! And through and through The vorpal blade went snicker-snack!He left it dead, and with its head He went galumphing back.
"And, has thou slain the Jabberwock? Come to my arms, my beamish boy!O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!' He chortled in his joy.
`Twas brillig, and the slithy toves Did gyre and gimble in the wabe;All mimsy were the borogoves, And the mome raths outgrabe.
The most wonderful assortment of nonsense and whiffling is still a favourite word of mine. Thank you Lewis Carroll.
Lovely - I remember reciting it too, and also doing it at college in what was called 'group speaking' - like the chorus in a Greek tragedy, though this was with movement and costume as well! Just image all those 17-20 year olds cavorting about on a half-lit stage; most did not take it seriously, which was a shame. My favourite poem? We had to learn so many but I think I have to say E.Barrett Browning's sonnet 'How do I love thee?
ReplyDeleteGosh you've done loads of blogging since my last visit - I didn't realise I'd left it so long!
ReplyDeleteJabberwocky is one of my favourite poems too along with the Walrus and the Carpenter. My father used to refer to my brother and self as little 'bandersnatches' LOL.