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122

TO MRS. DULANEY.
    What was thine errand here?
Thy beauty was more exquisite than aught
    That from this marred earth
    Takes its imperfect birth;
It was a radiant, heavenly beauty, caught
    From some far higher sphere,
And though an angel now, thou still must bear
The lovely semblance that thou here didst wear.

    What was thine errand here?
Thy gentle thoughts, and holy, humble mind,
    With earthly creatures coarse,
    Held not discourse,
But with fine spirits, of some purer kind,
    Dwelt in communion dear;
And sure they speak to thee that language now,
Which thou wert wont to speak to us below.