1850

MISUNDERSTANDINGS

by Lewis Carroll

MISUNDERSTANDINGS -

IF such a thing had been my thought,

I should have told you so before,

But as I didn't, then you ought

To ask for such a thing no more,

For to teach one who has been taught

Is always thought an awful bore. -

Now to commence my argument,

I shall premise an observation,

On which the greatest kings have leant

When striving to subdue a nation,

And e'en the wretch who pays no rent

By it can solve a hard equation. -

Its truth is such, the force of reason

Can not avail to shake its power,

Yet e'en the sun in summer season

Doth not dispel so mild a shower

As this, and he who sees it, sees on

Beyond it to a sunny bower-

No more, when ignorance is treason,

Let wisdom's brows be cold and sour. - -