| Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). An American Anthology, 1787–1900. 1900. |
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| 426. In the Still, Star-Lit Night |
| | | By Elizabeth Stoddard |
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| IN the still, star-lit night, | |
| By the full fountain and the willow-tree, | |
| I walked, and not alone— | |
| A spirit walked with me! | |
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| A shade fell on the grass; | 5 |
| Upon the water fell a deeper shade: | |
| Something the willow stirred, | |
| For to and fro it swayed. | |
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| The grass was in a quiver, | |
| The water trembled, and the willow-tree | 10 |
| Sighed softly; I sighed loud— | |
| The spirit taunted me. | |
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| All the night long I walked | |
| By the full fountain, dropping icy tears; | |
| I tore the willow leaves, | 15 |
| I tore the long, green spears! | |
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| I clutched the quaking grass, | |
| And beat the rough bark of the willow-tree; | |
| I shook the wreathed boughs, | |
| To make the spirit flee. | 20 |
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| It haunted me till dawn, | |
| By the full fountain and the willow-tree; | |
| For with myself I walked— | |
| How could the spirit flee? | |
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