700 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 Blonde 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 applaud, below They would not encore—d**h 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—go down And Clerks in Counting Rooms Observe—"'Twas only a Balloon"