Saturday 8 August 2009

Off the shelf: Mervyn Peake 4

This wonderful drawing is my favourite in the book. It comes from 'Fit the Seventh - The Banker's Fate,' and shows a Bandersnatch in the process of attacking the Banker, who has rushed madly ahead in his zeal to discover the Snark:

'...He offered large discount - he offered a cheque
(Drawn "to bearer") for seven-pounds-ten:
But the Bandersnatch merely extended its neck
And grabbed at the Banker again...'

When the others appear the Bandersnatch flies away, but the Banker has had such a fright that his waistcoat has turned white. In fact he goes insane and, on the insistence of the Bellman, is left behind:

'..."Leave him to his fate - it is getting so late!"
The Bellman exclaimed in a fright.
"We have lost half the day. Any further delay,
And we sha'n't catch a Snark before night!"'

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