| Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). An American Anthology, 1787–1900. 1900. |
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| 1444. The First Step |
| | | By Andrew Bice Saxton |
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| MY little one begins his feet to try, | |
| A tottering, feeble, inconsistent way; | |
| Pleased with the effort, he forgets his play, | |
| And leaves his infant baubles where they lie. | |
| Laughing and proud his mother flutters nigh, | 5 |
| Turning to go, yet joy-compelled to stay, | |
| And, bird-like, singing what her heart would say; | |
| But not so certain of my bliss am I. | |
| For I bethink me of the days in store | |
| Wherein those feet must traverse realms unknown, | 10 |
| And half forget the pathway to our door. | |
| And I recall that in the seasons flown | |
| We were his all—as he was all our own— | |
| But never can be quite so any more. | |
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