This text uses UTF-8 (Unicode) file encoding. If the apostrophes and quotation marks in this paragraph appear as garbage, you may have an incompatible browser or unavailable fonts. First, make sure that your browser’s “character set” or “file encoding” is set to Unicode (UTF-8). You may also need to change the default font.
Preface The Hunting of the Snark Publisher’s Ads
AN EASTER GREETING
TO
EVERY CHILD WHO LOVES
THE HUNTING OF THE SNARK
BY LEWIS CARROLL
AUTHOR OF “ALICE’S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND,” AND “THROUGH THE LOOKING-GLASS.”
WITH NINE ILLUSTRATIONS BY HENRY HOLIDAY
MACMILLAN AND CO. 1876.
[The Right of Translation and Reproduction is Reserved.]
LONDON: R. CLAY, SONS, AND TAYLOR, PRINTERS, BREAD STREET HILL.
Inscribed to a dear Child: 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!
