The Little Girl Lost

    I prophetic see

    That the earth from sleep

    （Grave the sentence deep）

    Shall arise and seek

    For her Maker meek；

    And the desert wild

    Become a garden mild.

    In the southern clime，

    Where the summer's prime

    Never fades away，

    Lovely Lyca lay.

    Seven summers old

    Lovely Lyca told；

    She had wander'd long

    Hearing wild birds' song.

    `Sweet sleep， come to me

    Underneath this tree.

    Do father， mother， weep？

    Where can Lyca sleep？

    `Lost in desert wild

    Is your little child.

    How can Lyca sleep

    If her mother weep？

    `If her heart does ache

    Then let Lyca wake；

    If my mother sleep，

    Lyca shall not weep.

    `Frowning， frowning night，

    O'er this desert bright，

    Let thy moon arise

    While I close my eyes.'

    Sleeping Lyca lay

    While the beasts of prey，

    Come from caverns deep，

    View'd the maid asleep.

    The kingly lion stood，

    And the virgin view'd，

    Then he gamboll'd round

    O'er the hallow'd ground.

    Leopards， tigers， play

    Round her as she lay，

    While the lion old

    Bow'd his mane of gold

    And her bosom lick，

    And upon her neck

    From his eyes of flame

    Ruby tears there came；

    While the lioness

    Loos'd her slender dress，

    And naked they convey'd

    To caves the sleeping maid.