-- See the kitten on the wall,
sporting with the leaves that fall,
Withered leaves--one--two--and three,
from the lofty elder-tree!
Through the calm and frosty air,
of this morning bright and fair...
--But the kitten, how she starts;
Crouches, stretches, paws, and darts!
First at one, and then its fellow,
just as light and just as yellow;
There are many now--now one--now
they stop and there are none;
What intenseness of desire, in her
upward eye of fire!
With a tiger-leap half way, now she
meets the coming prey,
Lets it go as fast, and then, has
it in her power again:
Now she works with three or four,
like an Indian Conjuror;
Quick as he in feats of art, far
beyond in joy of heart ...
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