Final Alice

A boat 'neath a sunny sky
Ling'ring onward dreamily
In an ev'ning of July
Children three that nestle near,
Eager eye and willing ear,

Pleased a simple tale to hear -- 
Long has paled that sunny sky:
Echoes fade and mem'ries die:
Autumn frosts have slain July.
Still she haunts me, phantom wise,
Alice moving under skies
Never seen by waking eyes.
Children yet, the tale to hear,
Eager eye and willing ear,

Lovingly shall nestle near.
In a Wonderland they lie,
Dreaming as the days go by,
Dreaming as the summers die:
Ever drifting down the stream --
Ling'ring in the golden gleam --
Life, what is it but a dream?