1886

TO MY CHILD-FRIEND

by Lewis Carroll

TO MY CHILD-FRIEND -

DEDICATION TO "THE GAME OF LOGIC". -

I CHARM in vain: for never again,

All keenly as my glance I bend,

Will Memory, goddess coy,

Embody for my joy

Departed days, nor let me gaze

On thee, my Fairy Friend! -

Yet could thy face, in mystic grace,

A moment smile on me, 'twould send

Far-darting rays of light

From Heaven athwart the night,

By which to read in very deed

Thy spirit, sweetest Friend! -

So may the stream of Life's long dream

Flow gently onward to its end,

With many a floweret gay,

A-down its willowy way:

May no sigh vex, no care perplex,

My loving little Friend! -

1886. - -