ETUDE REALISTE

By Algernon Charles Swinburne

A Baby's feet, like sea-shells pink,

Might tempt, should heaven see meet,

An angel's lips to kiss, we think,

A baby's feet.

Like rose-hued sea-flowers toward the heat

They stretch and spread and wink

Their ten soft buds that part and meet.

No flower-bells that expand and shrink

Gleam half so heavenly sweet

As shine on life's untrodden brink

A baby's feet.