The little girl lost

In futurity

I prophetic see

That the earth from sleep

(Grave the sentence deep)

Shall arise and seek

For her maker meek;

And in the desart 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 desart wild

Is your little child.

How can Lyca sleep

If her mother weep?

``If her heart does ake

Then let Lyca wake;

If my mother sleep,

Lyca shall not weep.

``Frowning, frowning night,

O'er this desart 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 hollow'd ground.

Leopards, tygers, 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.