An English Boy, Whose Travels Lay

An English boy, whose travels lay
In Italy, had slept at night
Sound as a bishop all the way,
Till suddenly . . the strangest sight!
Above the upper of the two
Near ridges of old Appennine,
(Seemingly scarce a good stone-throw)
A lighted globe began to shine.
u O father! father! " cried the lad,
" What wicked boys are hereabout!
How wild! how mischievous! how mad!
Look yonder! let us put it out.
I never saw such a balloon
So near . . that olive now takes fire!
The corn there crackles! "
" 'Tis the Moon,"
Patting his head, replied the sire.