700

You've seen Balloons set-Haven't You?
So stately they ascend-
It is as Swans-discarded You,
For Duties Diamond-

Their Liquid Feet go softly out
Upon a Sea of Blonde-
They spurn the Air, as t'were too mean
For Creatures so renowned-

Their Ribbons just beyond the eye-
They struggle-some-for Breath-
And yet the Crowd applaud, below-
They would not encore-Death-

The Gilded Creature strains-and spins-
Trips frantic in a Tree-
Tears open her imperial Veins-
And tumbles in the Sea-

The Crowd-retire with an Oath-
The Dust in Streets-go down-
And Clerks in Counting Rooms
Observe-”'Twas only a Balloon”-