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106
CHILD LOST.
IN A LADY'S ALBUM.
Let prosing souls on earthly steeds
To earth their foggy rides confine:
Aloft, aloft, where fancy leads,
To ride the wingèd horse be mine!
To earth their foggy rides confine:
Aloft, aloft, where fancy leads,
To ride the wingèd horse be mine!
He bears me far, from sordid crowds;
He leaps the welkin's crystal bars;
His pinions cleave the sullen clouds;
His hoofs strike sparkles from the stars.
He leaps the welkin's crystal bars;
His pinions cleave the sullen clouds;
His hoofs strike sparkles from the stars.
Last night alone and unregarded,
I canter'd up the milky way,
And found heaven's suburbs all placarded—
“Child lost. A cherub gone astray!
I canter'd up the milky way,
And found heaven's suburbs all placarded—
“Child lost. A cherub gone astray!
“A flaxen-headed blue-eyed treasure,
A rosy minion, round and merry,
Who laughs, the very soul of pleasure,
And answers to the name of Cherry.
A rosy minion, round and merry,
Who laughs, the very soul of pleasure,
And answers to the name of Cherry.
107
“Supposed that a terrestrial dame,
Seen lurking near some time ago,
Seduced the child, to change its name,
And pass it for her own below.
Seen lurking near some time ago,
Seduced the child, to change its name,
And pass it for her own below.
“The lady's face was pale and fair,
Her wit was lively, keen, and bright;
And oft 'tis said to Cynthia's car
She climb'd to pilfer rays of light.
Her wit was lively, keen, and bright;
And oft 'tis said to Cynthia's car
She climb'd to pilfer rays of light.
“Whoever brings to Cherub Square,
The small Angelic, shall be paid
Ten thousand thanks, in coin of air;
No further offer will be made.”
The small Angelic, shall be paid
Ten thousand thanks, in coin of air;
No further offer will be made.”
Oh ho! said I, if that's the pay
Your Cherubim-retrievers earn,
Yon urchin where it is may stay,
And bloom on earth as Marion Burn.
Your Cherubim-retrievers earn,
Yon urchin where it is may stay,
And bloom on earth as Marion Burn.
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