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 blond; 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 applauds 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 goes down, And clerks in counting-rooms observe, ''T was only a balloon.'