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Reign of Louis Philippe A great tall column spearing at the sky With a little man on top. Goodness! Tell me why? He looks a silly thing enough to stand up there so high. What a strange fellow, like a soldier in a play, Tight-fitting coat with the tails cut away, High-crowned hat which the brims overlay. Two-horned hat makes an outline like a bow. Must have a sword, I can see the light glow Between a dark line and his leg. Vertigo I get gazing up at him, a pygmy flashed with sun. A weathercock or scarecrow or both things in one? As bright as a jewelled crown hung above a throne. Say, what is the use of him if he doesnt turn? Just put up to glitter there, like a torch to burn, A sort of sacrificial show in a lofty urn? But why a little soldier in an obsolete dress? Id rather see a Goddess with a spear, I confess. Something allegorical and fine. Why, yes -- I cannot take my eyes from him. I dont know why at all. Ive looked so long the whole thing swims. I feel he ought to fall. Foreshortened there among the clouds hes pitifully small. | 
