| Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). An American Anthology, 1787–1900. 1900. |
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| 118. Emerson |
| | | By Amos Bronson Alcott |
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| MISFORTUNE to have lived not knowing thee! | |
| ’T were not high living, nor to noblest end, | |
| Who, dwelling near, learned not sincerity, | |
| Rich friendship’s ornament that still doth lend | |
| To life its consequence and propriety. | 5 |
| Thy fellowship was my culture, noble friend: | |
| By the hand thou took’st me, and did’st condescend | |
| To bring me straightway into thy fair guild; | |
| And life-long hath it been high compliment | |
| By that to have been known, and thy friend styled, | 10 |
| Given to rare thought and to good learning bent; | |
| Whilst in my straits an angel on me smiled. | |
| Permit me, then, thus honored, still to be | |
| A scholar in thy university. | |
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