Hush-a-by lady, in Alice's lap!
Til the feast's ready we've time for a nap:
When the feasts over, we'll go to the ball-
Red Queen, and White Queen, and Alice, and all!

('And now you know the words, ' she added,
As she put her head down on Alice's other shoulder,
'just sing it through to me. I'm getting sleepy, too. '
In another moment both Queens were fast asleep,
And snoring loud.

At this moment the door was flung open, and a shrill voice was heard singing:)

To the Looking-Glass world it was Alice that said
'I've a sceptre in hand, I've a crown on my head;
Let the Looking-Glass creatures, whatever they be,
Come and dine with the Red Qeen, the White Queen, and me! '

(And hundreds of voices joined in the chorus:)

Then fill up the glasses as quick as you can,
And sprinkle the table with buttons and bran:
Put cats in the coffee, and mice in the tea-
And welcome Queen Alice
With thirty-times-three!

(Alice thought to herself, 'Thirty times three makes ninety.
I wonder if any one's counting? ' In a minute there was silence again,
And the same shrill voice sang another verse:)

'O Looking-Glass creatures, ' quoth Alice, 'draw near!
'Tis an honour to see me, a favor to hear:
'Tis a privilege high to have dinner and tea
Along with the Red Queen, the White Queen and me! '

(Then came the chorus again:)

Then fill up the glasses with treacle and inc,
Or anything else that is pleasant to drink;
Mix sand with the cider, and wool with the wine-
And welcome Queen Alice
With ninety-times-nine!

'Ninety-times-nine! ' Alice repeated in despair.
'Oh, that'll never be done! I'd better go in at once. '