You'll know Her -- by Her Foot --
The smallest Gamboge Hand
With Fingers -- where the Toes should be --
Would more affront the Sand --

Than this Quaint Creature's Boot --
Adjusted by a Stern --
Without a Button -- I could vouch --
Unto a Velvet Limb --

You'll know Her -- by Her Vest --
Tight fitting -- Orange -- Brown --
Inside a Jacket duller --
She wore when she was born --

Her Cap is small -- and snug --
Constructed for the Winds --
She'd pass for Barehead -- short way off --
But as She Closer stands --

So finer 'tis than Wool --
You cannot feel the Seam --
Nor is it Clasped unto of Band --
Nor held upon -- of Brim --

You'll know Her -- by Her Voice --
At first -- a doubtful Tone --
A sweet endeavor -- but as March
To April -- hurries on --

She squanders on your Ear
Such Arguments of Pearl --
You beg the Robin in your Brain
To keep the other -- still --

I think the longest Hour of all
Is when the Cars have come --
And we are waiting for the Coach --
It seems as though the Time

Indignant -- that the Joy was come --
Did block the Gilded Hands --
And would not let the Seconds by --
But slowest instant -- ends --

The Pendulum begins to count --
Like little Scholars -- loud --
The steps grow thicker -- in the Hall --
The Heart begins to crowd --

Then I -- my timid service done --
Tho' service 'twas, of Love --
Take up my little Violin --
And further North -- remove.

The Way I read a Letter's -- this --
'Tis first -- I lock the Door --
And push it with my fingers -- next --
For transport it be sure --

And then I go the furthest off
To counteract a knock --
Then draw my little Letter forth
And slowly pick the lock --

Then -- glancing narrow, at the Wall --
And narrow at the floor
For firm Conviction of a Mouse
Not exorcised before --

Peruse how infinite I am
To no one that You -- know --
And sigh for lack of Heaven -- but not
The Heaven God bestow --

The Child's faith is new --
Whole -- like His Principle --
Wide -- like the Sunrise
On fresh Eyes --
Never had a Doubt --
Laughs -- at a Scruple --
Believes all sham
But Paradise --

Credits the World --
Deems His Dominion
Broadest of Sovereignties --
And Caesar -- mean --
In the Comparison --
Baseless Emperor --
Ruler of Nought --
Yet swaying all --

Grown bye and bye
To hold mistaken
His pretty estimates
Of Prickly Things
He gains the skill
Sorrowful -- as certain --
Men -- to anticipate
Instead of Kings --

To my small Hearth His fire came --
And all my House aglow
Did fan and rock, with sudden light --
'Twas Sunrise -- 'twas the Sky --

Impanelled from no Summer brief --
With limit of Decay --
'Twas Noon -- without the News of Night --
Nay, Nature, it was Day --

My Portion is Defeat -- today --
A paler luck than Victory --
Less Paeans -- fewer Bells --
The Drums don't follow Me -- with tunes --
Defeat -- a somewhat slower -- means --
More Arduous than Balls --

'Tis populous with Bone and stain --
And Men too straight to stoop again --,
And Piles of solid Moan --
And Chips of Blank -- in Boyish Eyes --
And scraps of Prayer --
And Death's surprise,
Stamped visible -- in Stone --

There's somewhat prouder, over there --
The Trumpets tell it to the Air --
How different Victory
To Him who has it -- and the One
Who to have had it, would have been
Contender -- to die --