Jabberwocky
by Lewis Carroll
Published in 1871, Carroll's poem offers outlandish literary significance and is often studied by middle school students.

'Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
ย ย Did gyre and gimble in the wabe;
All mimsy were the borogoves,
ย ย And the mome raths outgrabe.
"Beware the Jabberwock, my son!
ย ย The jaws that bite, the claws that catch!
Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun
ย ย The frumious Bandersnatch!"
He took his vorpal sword in hand:
ย ย Long time the manxome foe he sought--
So rested he by the Tumtum tree,
ย ย And stood awhile in thought.
And as in uffish thought he stood,
ย ย The Jabberwock, with eyes of flame,
Came whiffling through the tulgey wood,
ย ย And burbled as it came!
One, two! One, two! And through and through
ย ย The vorpal blade went snicker-snack!
He left it dead, and with its head
ย ย He went galumphing back.
"And hast thou slain the Jabberwock?
ย ย Come to my arms, my beamish boy!
O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!"
ย ย He chortled in his joy.
'Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
ย ย Did gyre and gimble in the wabe;
All mimsy were the borogoves,
ย ย And the mome raths outgrabe.
This poem is featured in our selection of Poetry for Students and 100 Great Poems.
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