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

By MildredHowells

1658 A Moral in Sevres

UPON my mantel-piece they stand,

While all its length between them lies;

He throws a kiss with graceful hand,

She glances back with bashful eyes.

The china Shepherdess is fair,

The Shepherd’s face denotes a heart

Burning with ardor and despair.

Alas, they stand so far apart!

And yet, perhaps, if they were moved,

And stood together day by day,

Their love had not so constant proved,

Nor would they still have smiled so gay.

His hand the Shepherd might have kissed

The match-box Angel’s heart to win;

The Shepherdess, his love have missed,

And flirted with the Mandarin.

But on my mantel-piece they stand,

While all its length between them lies;

He throws a kiss with graceful hand,

She glances back with bashful eyes.