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LINES ON MY NEW CHILD SWEETHEART, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: I hold it a religious duty
Last Line: To think I ne'er may meet her more.
Subject(s): Children; Love - Age Differences; Childhood


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 hand 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 the 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 Grey;"
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.





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