dots-menu
×

Home  »  An American Anthology, 1787–1900  »  996 Come Love or Death

Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). An American Anthology, 1787–1900. 1900.

By Will HenryThompson

996 Come Love or Death

O LIFTED face of mute appeal!

Poor tongueless pantomime of prayer!

O sullen sea, whose deeps conceal

The children of despair!

O heart that will not look above!

Poor staggering feet that seek the wave!

I would come quick, if I were Love,

And I had power to save.

O sinking sunset loneliness

Aflame in hot, unmoving eyes!

Poor wan lips, creeping in distress

To cover up your cries!

O broken speech, and sobbing breath!

Poor restless and uncertain will!

I would come quick, if I were Death,

And I had power to kill!