Stedman and Hutchinson, comps. A Library of American Literature:
An Anthology in Eleven Volumes. 1891.
Vols. IX–XI: Literature of the Republic, Part IV., 1861–1889
A Farewell
By Mary Ainge De Vere (Madeline Bridges)[Born in Brooklyn, N. Y. Littel’s Living Age—The Century Magazine—etc.]
I
Why should I blame that slight and fickle heart,
That cannot bravely go, nor boldly stay,
Too weak to cling, and yet too fond to part?
Dead passion chains thee where its ashes lie—
Cold is the shrine, ah cold forevermore!
Why linger, then, while golden moments fly
And sunshine waits beyond the open door?
Nay—fare thee well—for memory and I
Must linger here, and wait; we have no choice
Nor other better joy, until we die,
Only to wait, and hear nor step nor voice,
Nor any happy advent come to break
The watch we keep alone—for dear love’s sake!