And so it began...

"Anon, to sudden silence won,

In fancy they pursue

The dream-child moving through a land

Of wonders wild and new,

In friendly chat with bird or beast-

And half believe it true.

And ever, as the story drained

The wells of fancy dry,

And faintly strove that weary one

To put the subject by,

'The rest next time'- It is next time!'

The happy voices cry.

Thus grew the tale of Wonderland;

Thus slowly, one by one,

it's quaint events were hammered out-

And now the tale is done,

And home we steer, a merry crew,

Beneath the setting sun."

-Lewis Carroll 1865