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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 she said, And wond'ring, look'd at me. 33 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
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Reopened for Editing 2023-06-05 11:21:35