| Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). An American Anthology, 1787–1900. 1900. |
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| 1368. The Second Volume |
| | | By Robert Mowry Bell |
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| IN the groined alcoves of an ancient tower | |
| Amid a wealth of treasured tomes I found | |
| A little book, in choicest vellum bound: | |
| Therein a romance of such magic power | |
| It held me rapt through many a trancëd hour; | 5 |
| And then, the threads of interest all unwound, | |
| Abruptly closed. I searched that palace round, | |
| And for its mate still earth’s preserves I scour. | |
| Perchance that was the whole? Then purposeless | |
| The pain of conflict, and the bitter doubt | 10 |
| But half resolved; love in a dire distress, | |
| Deserted, baffled, with its joy left out. | |
| Could life so end, half told; its school so fail? | |
| Soul, soul, there is a sequel to thy tale! | |
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