A cherub small and soft,

On whom two human beings smiled,

And pray'd for, oft and oft?

A creature, rosy, plump and fair,

Half meekness and half joy;

A wingless angel with light hair!—

Oh! wert thou, Butcher-boy?

A thing more gentle, laughing, light,

More blythe, more full of play,

Than e'er he was—that luckless wight!—