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A Sea Dirge - By Lewis Carroll

Running Time:2:26Release Date:
Most of us enjoy a trip to the seaside, but here Lewis Carroll gives some of the reasons why he hates it. After reading this you may look at the sea very differently!

About The Video

A Sea Dirge
Cover for A Sea Dirge by Lewis Carroll
An antique etching of a spider
There are certain things - as, a spider, a ghost,
The income-tax, gout, an umbrella for three -
That I hate, but the thing that I hate the most
Is a thing they call the Sea.
 
 
A Victorian seasie scene
Pour some salt water over the floor -
Ugly I'm sure you'll allow it to be:
Suppose it extended a mile or more,
THAT'S very like the Sea.
 
 
A painting of a dog paddling in the sea
Beat a dog till it howls outright -
Cruel, but all very well for a spree:
Suppose that he did so day and night,
THAT would be like the Sea.
 
 
Victorian image of children at the sea with adults
I had a vision of nursery-maids;
Tens of thousands passed by me -
All leading children with wooden spades,
And this was by the Sea.
 
 
Victorian image of children making sand castles with wooden buckets and spades
Who invented those spades of wood?
Who was it cut them out of the tree?
None, I think, but an idiot could -
Or one that loved the Sea.
 
 
Victorian image of ladies falling out of a boat
It is pleasant and dreamy, no doubt, to float
With 'thoughts as boundless, and souls as free':
But, suppose you are very unwell in the boat,
How do you like the Sea?
 
 
Antique close up image of a flea
There is an insect that people avoid
(Whence is derived the verb 'to flee').
Where have you been by it most annoyed?
In lodgings by the Sea.
 
 
Strange sea-child riding a conch being pulled by a fish
If you like your coffee with sand for dregs,
A decided hint of salt in your tea,
And a fishy taste in the very eggs -
By all means choose the Sea.
 
 
Antique image of children paddling
And if, with these dainties to drink and eat,
You prefer not a vestige of grass or tree,
And a chronic state of wet in your feet,
Then - I recommend the Sea.
 
 
A Victorian postcard image of ladies enjoying the sea
For I have friends who dwell by the coast -
Pleasant friends they are to me!
It is when I am with them I wonder most
That anyone likes the Sea.
 
 
Comic drawing of a man who has fallen down
They take me a walk: though tired and stiff,
To climb the heights I madly agree;
And, after a tumble or so from the cliff,
They kindly suggest the Sea.
 
 
Comic drawing of a man who has fallen into a rock pool
I try the rocks, and I think it cool
That they laugh with such an excess of glee,
As I heavily slip into every pool
That skirts the cold cold Sea.

Other Lewis Carroll Related Videos

The Rather Curious History Of Alice

The Rather Curious History Of Alice
Here we recount the fascinating real life story of Alice, meet the real people involved in its creation and discover the fate of the original handwritten book!

The Mad Gardener's Song

The Mad Gardener's Song
Appearing in a later and less well known work by Lewis Carroll, 'Sylvie and Bruno'. This is the most famous part of the book and ranks amongst his finest creations.

The Jabberwocky

The Jabberwocky
The Jabberwocky first appeared in "Through the Looking-Glass, and What Alice Found There" and is one of the greatest ever nonsense poems!

The Mock Turtle's Song

The Mock Turtle's Song
Also known as "The Lobster-Quadrille" this piece of nonsense poetry is all about a whiting and a snail who is very reluctant to go to the dance!

You Are Old Father William

You Are Old Father William
A really jolly little video featuring the poem that Alice recites to the caterpillar in Alice in Wonderland. All very bizarre and still great fun after all these years!

Interesting Links

General

Librivox - Reading Of A Sea Dirge by Annoying Twit/Ross Clement