||Imagines||1D & 5SOS||

Phantasmagoria

Hier eines meiner Lieblingsgedichte von Lewis Carroll
(Er hat unter anderem Alice im Wunderland geschrieben)

1869
PHANTASMAGORIA
Lewis Carroll
Carroll,

CANTO I
The Trystyng
ONE winter night, at half-past nine, Cold, tired, and cross, and
muddy, I had come home, too late to dine, And supper, with cigars
and wine, Was waiting in the study.
There was a strangeness in the room, And Something white and
wavy Was standing near me in the gloomI took it for the carpet-
broom Left by that careless slavey.
But presently the Thing began To shiver and to sneeze:
On which I said "Come, come, my man!
That's a most inconsiderate plan, Less noise there, if you please!"
"I've caught a cold", the Thing replies, "Out there upon the
landing." I turned to look in some surprise, And there, before my
very eyes, A little Ghost was standing!
He trembled when he caught my eye, And got behind a chair.
"How came you here," I said, "and why? I never saw a thing so
shy.
Come out! Don't shiver there!"
He said "I'd gladly tell you how, And also tell you why; But" (here
he gave a little bow) "You're in so bad a temper now, You'd think
it all a lie.
"And as to being in a fright, Allow me to remark That Ghosts have
just as good a right, In every way, to fear the light, As Men to fear
the dark."
"No plea", said I, "can well excuse Such cowardice in you: For
Ghosts can visit when they choose, Whereas we Humans ca'n't
refuse To grant the interview."
He said "A flutter of alarm Is not unnatural, is it? I really feared
you meant some harm: But, now I see that you are calm, Let me
explain my visit.
"Houses are classed, I beg to state, According to the number Of
Ghosts that they accommodate: (The Tenant merely counts as
weight, With Coals and other lumber).
"This is a 'one-ghost' house, and you, When you arrived last
summer, May have remarked a Spectre who Was doing all that
Ghosts can do To welcome the new-comer.
"In Villas this is always doneHowever cheaply rented: For, though
of course there's less of fun When there is only room for one,
Ghosts have to be contented.
"That Spectre left you on the ThirdSince then you've not been
haunted: For, as he never sent us word, 'Twas quite by accident we
heard That any one was wanted.
"A Spectre has first choice, by right, In filling up a vacancy;
Then Phantom, Goblin, Elf, and SpriteIf all these fail them, they
invite The nicest Ghoul that they can see.
"The Spectres said the place was low, And that you kept bad wine:
So, as a Phantom had to go, And I was first, of course, you know, I
couldn't well decline."
"No doubt", said I, "they settled who Was fittest to be sent:
Yet still to choose a brat like you, To haunt a man of forty-two, Was
no great compliment!"
"I'm not so young, Sir," he replied, "As you might think. The fact
is, In caverns by the water-side, And other places that I've tried,
I've had a lot of practice:
"But I have never taken yet A strict domestic part, And in my
flurry I forget The Five Good Rules of Etiquette We have to know
by heart."
My sympathies were warming fast Towards the little fellow:
He was so utterly aghast At having found a Man at last, And
looked so scared and yellow.
"At least", I said, "I'm glad to find A Ghost is not a dumb thing!
But pray sit down: you'll feel inclined (If, like myself, you have
not dined) To take a snack of something: "Though, certainly, you
don't appear A thing to offer food to!
And then I shall be glad to hearIf you will say them loud and clear
The Rules that you allude to."
"Thanks! You shall hear them by and by.
This is a piece of luck!" "What may I offer you?" said I.
"Well, since you are so kind, I'll try A little bit of duck.
"One slice! And may I ask you for Another drop of gravy?" I sat
and looked at him in awe, For certainly I never saw A thing so
white and wavy.
And still he seemed to grow more white, More vapoury, and
wavierSeen in the dim and flickering light, As he proceeded to
recite His "Maxims of Behaviour".