| Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). An American Anthology, 1787–1900. 1900. |
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| 762. Forepledged |
| | | By John Lancaster Spalding |
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| O WOMAN, let thy heart not cleave | |
| To any poet’s soul; | |
| For he the muse will never leave, | |
| But follow to life’s goal. | |
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| Then trust him not, he is not thine, | 5 |
| Whate’er he seems to be; | |
| Strong unseen tendrils round him twine, | |
| And keep him still from thee. | |
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| His words with passion are athrill, | |
| And bear contagious fire; | 10 |
| He knows the charmer’s perfect skill | |
| To wake the heart’s desire. | |
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| But love him not, his love is woe; | |
| The genius at his side | |
| Would prove for thee a fatal foe | 15 |
| Wert thou his wedded bride. | |
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