An invitation to join the dance: the lobster quadrille

Here's some more inspiration from the enchanting Alice books.  I've written elsewhere about the wonders of Jabberwocky - a poem that is rightly famous: for its nonsense and the way its monster sticks in our childhood imaginations.  The lobster quadrille may be less well known or remembered, but it's equally wonderful.  A sweet, sad, gentle invitation to join the dance... 

Read and enjoy.

“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?”