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32  Juvenile Letters.

this time, you are better instructed than the artless child who was the subject of that ballad.I have enclosed it for Eliza; and you must teach her to read it; and tell her that it comes from her and your affectionate sister, 

Maria Meanwell.
Master James Meanwell.

We Are Seven.

A Simple child, dear brother Jim, 
That lightly draws its breath,
And feels its life in every limb, 
What should it know of death?

I met a little cottage girl, 
Of eight years old, she said, 
Her hair was thick with many a curl, 
That cluster'd round her head. 

She had a rustic, woodland air, 
And she was wildly clad; 
Her eyes were fair, and very fair; 
Her beauty made me glad. 

Sisters and brothers, little maid, 
How many may you be?
How many! seven in all the said, 
And wond'ring, look'd at me,

And 


33    Juvenile Letters.

And where are they, I pray you tell?
She answer'd, seven are we, 
And two of us at Conway dwell,
And two are gone to sea.

Two of us in the Church-yard lie, 
My sister, and my brother, 
And in the Church-yard cottage, I 
Dwell near them with my mother. 

You say that two at Conway dwell, 
And two are gone to sea, 
Yet you are seven; I pray you tell, 
Sweet maid, how this may be?

Then did the little maid reply, 
Seven boys and girls are we; 
Two of us in the Church-yard lie, 
Beneath the Church-yard tree. 

You run about, my little maid;
Your limbs they are alive; 
If two are in the Church-yard laid,
Then ye are only five.

Their graves are green, they may be seen, 
The little maid reply'd; 
Twelve steps or more from mother's door, 
And they are side by side.

My

Transcription Notes:
---------- Reopened for Editing 2023-05-29 09:25:07