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JABBERWOCKY

Poem by LEWIS CARROLL

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!'

 

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! Calloh! 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 poem is part of "Alice Through the Looking Glass" by Lewis Carroll, which is available free as a text document from the Gutenberg Project (specialists in giving away books!) In the book, there are explanations about what some of the unusual words mean, but not all. Also worth noting that some of the words in the poem were invented by Lewis Carroll and have since become part of the English language.

More information and resources on Jabberwocky are available at Keith Lim's Jabberwocky feature which includes translations, explanations, and spoofs. Besides, there are other things on that site which you might like to have a browse around!

There's also a place called Jabba-Wocky Clothing which might be worth a visit!

Many other strange things at Zyra's eccentric website which has a full list of intriguing items at the full site index in Z-A order.