Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). A Victorian Anthology, 1837–1895. 1895.

Lewis Carroll 1832–98

Of Alice in Wonderland

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A BOAT, beneath a sunny sky,

Lingering onward dreamily

In an evening of July;

Children three that nestle near,

Eager eye and willing ear,

Pleased a simple tale to hear;—

Long has paled that sunny sky:

Echoes fade and memories die,

Autumn frosts have slain July.

Still she haunts me, phantom-wise,

Alice moving under skies

Never seen by waking eyes.

Children yet, the tale to hear,

Eager eye and willing ear,

Lovingly shall nestle near.

In a Wonderland they lie,

Dreaming as the days go by,

Dreaming as the summers die:

Ever drifting down the stream,

Lingering in the golden gleam,—

Life, what is it but a dream?