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