| Higginson and Bigelow, comps. American Sonnets. 1891. | | | | Thought | | By Helen Maria (Fiske) (Hunt) Jackson (1830–1885) |
| | | O MESSENGER, art thou the king, or I? | |
| Thou dalliest outside the palace gate | |
| Till on thine idle armor lie the late | |
| And heavy dews: the morn’s bright, scornful eye | |
| Reminds thee; then, in subtle mockery, | 5 |
| Thou smilest at the window where I wait, | |
| Who bade me ride for life. In empty state | |
| My days go on, while false hours prophesy | |
| Thy quick return; at last, in sad despair, | |
| I cease to bid thee, leave thee free as air; | 10 |
| When lo, thou stand’st before me glad and fleet, | |
| And lay’st undreamed-of treasures at my feet. | |
| Ah! messenger, thy royal blood to buy, | |
| I am too poor. Thou art the king, not I. | | | | |
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