The Stuffed Owl

Lyrics

While Anna's peers and early playmates tread, In freedom, the mountain-turf and river's marge; Or float with music in the festal barge; Rein the proud steed, or through the dance are lead; Her doom it is to press a weary bed— Till oft her guardian Angel, to some charge More urgent called, will stretch his wings at large, And friends too rarely prop the languid head. Yet, helped by Genius—untired Comforter, The presencе even of a stuffed Owl for hеr Can cheat the time; sending her fancy out To ivied castles and to moonlight skies, Though he can neither stir a plume, nor shout; Nor veil, with restless film, his staring eyes.