Lines on My New Child Sweetheart

I HOLD it a religious duty
To love and worship children’s beauty;
They’ve least the taint of earthly clod,
They’re freshest from the land of God;
With heavenly looks they make us sure
The heaven that made them must be pure;
We love them not in earthly fashion,
But with- a beatific passion.

I chanced to yesterday behold
A maiden child of beauty’s mould;
’Twas near, more sacred was the scene.
The palace of our patriot Queen.
The little charmer to my view
Was sculpture brought to life anew.
Her eyes had a poetic glow,
Her pouting mouth was Cupid’s bow:

And through her frock I could descry
Her neck and shoulders’ symmetry.
’Twas obvious from her walk and gait
Her limbs were beautifully straight;
I stopped th’ enchantress, and was told
Though tall she was but four years old.
Her guide so grave an aspect wore
I could not ask a question more;

But followed her. The little one
Threw backward ever and anon
Her lovely neck, as if to say,
‘I know you love me. Mister Gray;’
For by its instinct childhood’s eye
Is shrewd in physiognomy;
They well distinguish fawning art
From sterling fondness of the heart.

And so she flirted, like a true
Good woman, till we bade adieu.
’Twas then I with regret grew wild:
Oh, beauteous, interesting child!
Why asked I not thy home and name?
My courage failed me — more’s the shame.
But where abides this jewel rare?
Oh, ye that own her, tell me where!

For sad it makes my heart and sore
To think I ne’er may meet her more.