| All in the golden afternoon full leisurely we glide
|
| For both our oars, with little skill, by little arms are plied
|
| While little hands make vain pretence our wanderings to guide
|
| Our wanderings to guide
|
| Ah, cruel three! |
| In such an hour, beneath such dreamy weather
|
| To beg a tale of breath too weak to stir the tiniest feather
|
| Yet what can one poor voice avail, against three tongues together
|
| Against three tongues together
|
| Anon, to sudden silence won, in fancy they pursue
|
| The dream child moving through a land of wonders wild and new
|
| In friendly chat with bird or beast--and half believe it true
|
| And half believe it true
|
| And ever, as the story drained the wells of fancy dry
|
| And faintly strove that weary one to put the subject by The next time--It is next time the happy voices cry!
|
| The happy voices cry!
|
| Thus grew the tale of wonderland, thus slowly one by one
|
| Its quaint events were hammered out--and now the tale is done
|
| And home we steer
|
| A merry crew
|
| Beneath the setting sun |