The Little Girl Lost

    I prophetic see

    That the earth from sleep

    （Grave the sentence deep）

    Shall arise and seek

    For her Maker¹ meek²；

    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

    Underneath³ 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 prey⁴，

    Come from caverns⁵ deep，

    View'd the maid asleep.

    The kingly lion stood，

    And the virgin⁶ view'd，

    Then he gamboll'd round

    O'er the hallow'd ground.

    Leopards⁷， tigers， play

    Round her as she lay，

    While the lion old

    Bow'd his mane of gold

    And her bosom⁸ lick，

    And upon her neck

    From his eyes of flame

    Ruby⁹ tears there came；

    While the lioness

    Loos'd her slender dress，

    And naked they convey'd

    To caves the sleeping maid.