ON A JAPANESE SCREEN.
In Yeddo, where long lilies weep, Bo' Peep
The shepherdess hath lost her sheep.
She recks not where the sheep have strayed, Poor maid,
Beneath the Boodha-Temple's shade.
Her solace is the Minstrel's: _I'd_ Let slide
My flocks of verse without a guide.
So will they best return without A doubt--
Or tale that mortal can make out.
MISS MUFFET.
So sweet!
Child-Innocence, with upward-curling feet
On buffet-seat,
Resolving (as we all resolve) to eat.
So sad!
The ravening Spider from his eyrie mad
Swoops, boldly bad,
And scares (as spiders scare) the Pure and Glad.
ON A KLEPTOMANIAC.
Ah, Violin Cremonian!
Ah, Pussy-cat of Ispahan!
Moo-cow that dost outmoon the moon!
Yes, dainty poodle, laugh away,
And mock the pranks poor mortals play
Who spoon the dish and dish the spoon!
* * * * *
TO THE QUEEN OF MAYS.
Give me an elfin, frolic MAY,
No Queen with hoarse cadenzas,
Who pipes a frozen roundelay
Of spiteful influenzas.
_My_ MAY shall air no voices crude.
No chained and chilly dances--
With wordless harmonies endued
And pirouetting fancies.
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