Dedication
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!
This form is known as an Acrostic since the letters at the start of each line spell out a particular message in the case GERTRUDE CHATAWAY.
However Carroll shows his true skill since it is doubly labelled and the first word in each verse also forms the name GIRT RUDE CHAT AWAY. This is not quite the right spelling but is phonetically correct.
(Thanks to Morag)
