Complete Works of Lewis Carroll (137 page)
Read Complete Works of Lewis Carroll Online
Authors: Lewis Carroll
A BACCHANALIAN ODE
Here's to the Freshman of bashful eighteen!
Here's to the Senior of twenty!
Here's to the youth whose moustache can't be seen!
And here's to the man who has plenty!
Let the men Pass!
Out of the mass
I'll warrant we'll find you some fit for a Class!
Here's to the Censors, who symbolize Sense,
Just as Mitres incorporate Might, Sir!
To the Bursar, who never expands the expense!
And the Readers, who always do right, Sir!
Tutor and Don,
Let them jog on!
I warrant they'll rival the centuries gone!
Here's to the Chapter, melodious crew!
Whose harmony surely intends well:
For, though it commences with “harm,” it is true,
Yet its motto is “All's well that ends well!”
'Tis love, I'll be bound,
That makes it go round!
For “In for a penny is in for a pound!”
Here's to the Governing Body, whose Art
(For they're Masters of Arts to a man, Sir!)
Seeks to beautify Christ Church in every part,
Though the method seems hardly to answer!
With three T's it is graced—
Which letters are placed
To stand for the names of Tact, Talent, and Taste!
ALAS!
SHE WOULD NOT HEAR MY PRAYER!
‘Alas!
she would not hear my prayer!
Yet it were rash to tear my hair;
Disfigured, I should be less fair.
‘She was unwise, I may say blind;
Once she was lovingly inclined;
Some circumstance has changed her mind.’
WELL!
SO MY OFFER WAS NO GO!
‘Well!
so my offer was no go!
She might do worse, I told her so;
She was a fool to answer “No.”
‘However, things are as they stood;
Nor would I have her if I could,
For there are plenty more as good.’
FIREBRANDS AND DAGGERS!
HOPE HATH FLED!
‘Firebrands and daggers!
hope hath fled!
To atoms dash the doubly dead!
My brain is fire—my heart is lead!
‘Her soul is flint, and what am I?
Scorch'd by her fierce, relentless eye,
Nothingness is my destiny!’
RED RIDING-HOOD
Into the wood - the dark, dark wood -
Forth went the happy child;
And, in its stillest solitude,
Talked to herself, and smiled;
And closer drew the scarlet Hood
About her ringlets wild.
And now at last she threads the maze,
And now she need not fear;
Frowning, she meets the sudden blaze
Of moonlight falling clear;
Nor trembles she, nor turns, nor stays,
Although the Wolf be near.
A SQUARE POEM
Reading this poem vertically (the first word of each line, then the second word of each line and so on) yields the same poem as reading it in the normal way.
I often wondered when I cursed,
Often feared where I would be—
Wondered where she'd yield her love,
When I yield, so will she.
I would her will be pitied!
Cursed be love!
She pitied me ...
The Poems
LIST OF POEMS IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER
ALAS!
SHE WOULD NOT HEAR MY PRAYER!
FIREBRANDS AND DAGGERS!
HOPE HATH FLED!
FIVE FATHOM SQUARE THE BELFRY FROWNS
FOR “THE GARLAND OF RACHEL” (1881)
LAYS OF MYSTERY, IMAGINATION, AND HUMOUR NO.1
LOVE AMONG THE ROSES - ACROSTIC
MAGGIE'S VISIT TO OXFORD (JUNE 9TH TO 13TH, 1889)
PROLOGUE TO “LA GUIDA DI BRAGIA”
SHE'S ALL MY FANCY PAINTED HIM
THE ELECTIONS TO THE HEBDOMADAL COUNCIL
THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH.
TO THREE PUZZLED LITTLE GIRLS, FROM THE AUTHOR
Selected Mathematical Works
A posthumous portrait of Carroll by Hubert von Herkomer
CARROLL THE MATHEMATICIAN
Although famous for his literary works, Carroll was first and foremost a mathematician, lecturing at Oxford for many years. Within the discipline of mathematics, Carroll worked primarily in the fields of geometry, matrix algebra, mathematical logic and recreational mathematics, producing nearly a dozen books which he signed with his real name, Charles Lutwidge Dodgson.
Carroll also developed new ideas in the study of elections (known as Dodgson's method) and committees; some of this work was not published until well after his death.
He worked as a mathematics tutor at Oxford, an occupation that gave him some financial security.
A selection of Carroll’s mathematical works is provided in this section to give the reader a sample of his professional attitude and ability as a mathematician.