Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, HUMPTY DUMPTY RECITATION [OR, SONG], by CHARLES LUTWIDGE DODGSON


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

HUMPTY DUMPTY RECITATION [OR, SONG], by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: In winter, when the fields are white, / I sing this song for your delight
Last Line: I tried to turn the handle, but --.
Alternate Author Name(s): Carroll, Lewis
Variant Title(s): Verses Recited By Humpty Dumpty;humpty Dumpty's Poem
Subject(s): Nonsense


In winter, when the fields are white,
I sing this song for your delight --
In spring, when woods are growing green,
I'll try and tell you what I mean.
In summer, when the days are long,
Perhaps you'll understand the song.
In autumn, when the leaves are brown,
Take pen and ink and write it down.
I sent a message to the fish:
I told them "This is the wish."
The little fishes of the sea,
They sent an answer back to me.
The little fishes' answer was
"We cannot do it, Sir, because --"
I sent to them again to say
"It will be better to obey."
The fishes answered with a grin,
"Why, what a temper you are in!"
I told them once, I told them twice:
They would not listen to advice.
I took a kettle large and new,
Fit for the deed I had to do.
My heart went hop, my heart went thump;
I filled the kettle at the pump.
Then someone came to me and said
"The little fishes are in bed."
I said to him, I said it plain,
"Then you must wake them up again."
I said it loud and very clear;
I went and shouted in his ear.
But he was very stiff and proud; --
He said "I'd go and wake them, if --"
I took a corkscrew from the shelf:
I went to wake them up myself.
And when I found the door was locked,
I pulled and pushed and kicked and knocked.
And when I found the door was shut,
I tried to turn the handle, but --.




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