With the apples and the plums <br />Little Carolina comes, <br />At the time of the dessert she <br />Comes and drops her last new curtsy; <br />Graceful curtsy, practised o'er <br />In the nursery before. <br />What shall we compare her to? <br />The dessert itself will do. <br />Like preserves she's kept with care, <br />Like blanched almonds she is fair, <br />Soft as down on peach her hair, <br />And so soft, so smooth is each <br />Pretty cheek as that same peach, <br />Yet more like in hue to cherries; <br />Then her lips, the sweet strawberries, <br />Caroline herself shall try them <br />If they are not like when nigh them; <br />Her bright eyes are black as sloes, <br />But I think we've none of those <br />Common fruit here-and her chin <br />From a round point does begin, <br />Like the small end of a pear; <br />Whiter drapery she does wear <br />Than the frost on cake; and sweeter <br />Than the cake itself, and neater, <br />Though bedecked with emblems fine, <br />Is our little Caroline.<br /><br />Charles Lamb<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-dessert/
