Fit the Seventh
THE
BANKER'S FATE
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 a 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.
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.
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'nt catch a Snark before night!"
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