Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (18331908). An American Anthology, 17871900. 1900. | | 881. Disarmed | | By Laura Redden Searing (Howard Glyndon) | | | O LOVE, so sweet at first. | | So bitter in the end! | | Thou canst be fiercest foe, | | As well as fairest friend. | | Are these poor withered leaves | 5 | The fruitage of thy May? | | Thou that wert strong to save, | | How art thou swift to slay! | | | Ay, thou art swift to slay, | | Despite thy kiss and clasp, | 10 | Thy long, caressing look, | | Thy subtle, thrilling grasp! | | Ay, swifter far to slay | | Than thou art strong to save, | | And selfish in thy need, | 15 | And cruel as the grave. | | | Yes, cruel as the grave, | | Go, go, and come no more! | | But canst thou set my heart | | Just where it was before? | 20 | Go, go,and come no more! | | Go, leave me with my tears, | | The only gift of thine | | That shall outlive the years. | | | Yet shall outlive the years | 25 | One other, cherished thing, | | Slight as a vagrant plume | | Shed from some passing wing: | | The memory of thy first | | Divine, half-timid kiss. | 30 | Go! I forgive thee all | | In weeping over this! | | | |
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