So
they began solemnly dancing round and round Alice, every now and then treading
on her toes when they passed too close, and waving their forepaws to mark
the time, while the Mock Turtle sang this, very slowly and sadly:--
`"Will you walk a little faster?" said a whiting to a snail. "There's
a porpoise close behind us, and he's treading on my tail. See how eagerly
the lobsters and the turtles all advance! They are waiting on the shingle--will
you come and join the dance?
Will you, won't you, will you, won't you, will you join the dance? Will
you, won't you, will you, won't you, won't you join the dance?
"You can really have no notion how delightful it will be When they take
us up and throw us, with the lobsters, out to sea!" But the snail replied
"Too far, too far!" and gave a look askance-- Said he thanked the whiting
kindly, but he would not join the dance. Would not, could not, would not,
could not, would not join the dance. Would not, could not, would not, could
not, could not join the dance.
`"What matters it how far we go?" his scaly friend replied. "There is
another shore, you know, upon the other side. The further off from England
the nearer is to France-- Then turn not pale, beloved snail, but come and
join the dance.
Will you, won't you, will you, won't you, will you join the dance? Will
you, won't you, will you, won't you, won't you join the dance?"'
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