Text of A Charade.
B.H.
from C. L. D.
A CHARADE.
[NB FIVE POUNDS will be given to any one who succeeds in writing an original poetical Charade, introducing the line “My First is followed by a bird,” but making no use of the answer to this Charade. Ap 8 1878
(signed)
Lewis Carroll
My First is a singular at best
More plural is my Second.
My Third is far the pluralest—
So plural-plural, I protest,
It scarcely can be reckoned!
My First is followed by a bird
My Second by believers
In magic art: my simple Third
Follows, too often, hopes absurd,
And plausible deceivers.
My First to get at wisdom tries—
A failure melancholy!
My Second men revere as wise:
My Third from heights of wisdom fall
To depths of frantic folly!
My First is ageing day by day,
My Second’s age is ended.
My Third enjoys an age, they say,
That never seems to fade away,
Through centuries extended!
My Whole? I need a Poet’s pen
To paint her myriad phases
The monarch, and the slave, of men—
A mountain-summit, and a den
Of dark and deadly mazes!
A flashing light—a fleeting shade—
Beginning, end, and middle
Of all that human art hath made,
Or wit devised “Go, seek her aid,
If you would guess my riddle.”
Text of Prologue.