Inscribed to a Dear Child
Lewis Carroll
Track 2 on The Hunting of the Snark
Inscribed to a Dear Child Lyrics
IN MEMORY OF GOLDEN SUMMER HOURS
AND WHISPERS OF A SUMMER SEA
Girt with a boyish garb for boyish task,
Eager she wields her spade: yet loves as well
Rest on a friendly knee, intent to ask
The tale he loves to tell.
Rude spirits of the seething outer strife,
Unmeet to read her pure and simple spright,
Deem, if you list, such hours a waste of life,
Empty of all delight!
Chat on, sweet Maid, and rescue from annoy
Hearts that by wiser talk are unbeguiled.
Ah, happy he who owns that tenderest joy,
The heart-love of a child!
Away, fond thoughts, and vex my soul no more!
Work claims my wakeful nights, my busy days---
Albeit bright memories of that sunlit shore
Yet haunt my dreaming gaze!
AND WHISPERS OF A SUMMER SEA
Girt with a boyish garb for boyish task,
Eager she wields her spade: yet loves as well
Rest on a friendly knee, intent to ask
The tale he loves to tell.
Rude spirits of the seething outer strife,
Unmeet to read her pure and simple spright,
Deem, if you list, such hours a waste of life,
Empty of all delight!
Chat on, sweet Maid, and rescue from annoy
Hearts that by wiser talk are unbeguiled.
Ah, happy he who owns that tenderest joy,
The heart-love of a child!
Away, fond thoughts, and vex my soul no more!
Work claims my wakeful nights, my busy days---
Albeit bright memories of that sunlit shore
Yet haunt my dreaming gaze!
About
Genius Annotation
This poem was added to Snark by Carroll in 1876, along with his Easter Greeting
Q&A
Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning
- 2.Inscribed to a Dear Child
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