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1

BEGGAR S.

She had a tall Man's height, or more;

No bonnet screen'd her from the heat;

A long drab-colour'd Cloak she wore,

A Mantle reaching to her feet:

What other dress she had I could not know; Only she wore a Cap that was as white as snow."

In all my walks, through field or town,

Such Figure had I never seen:

Her face was of Egyptian brown :

Fit person was she for a Queen,

To head those ancient Amazonian files:

Or ruling Bandit's Wife, among the Grecian Isles.

Before me begging did she stand,

Pouring out sorrows like a sea;

Grief after grief:

-on English Land

Such woes I knew could never be;

And yet a boon I gave her; for the Creature Was beautiful to see; a Weed of glorious feature!

3

I left her, and pursued my way;
And soon before me did espy

A pair of little Boys at play,

Chasing a crimson butterfly;

The Taller follow'd with his hat in hand,

Wreath'd round with yellow flow'rs, the gayest of the land.

The Other wore a rimless crown,
With leaves of laurel stuck about:
And they both follow'd up and down,

Each whooping with a merry shout;

Two Brothers seem'd they, eight and ten

years

And like that Woman's face as gold is like to gold.

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They bolted on me thus, and lo!

Each ready with a plaintive whine;

Said I," Not half an hour ago

Your Mother has had alms of mine."

"That cannot be," one answer'd, "She is dead."

Nay but I gave her pence, and she will buy you bread."

"She has been dead, Sir, many a day.”

"Sweet Boys, you're telling me a lie ;

"It was your Mother, as I say

And in the twinkling of an eye,

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"Come, come!” cried one; and, without more ado,

Off to some other play they both together flew,

2.

TO A SKY-LARK.

Up with me! up with me into the clouds! For thy song, Lark, is strong;

Up with me, up with me into the clouds!

Singing, singing,

With all the heav'ns about thee ringing,

Lift me,

guide me, till I find

That spot which seems so to thy mind!

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