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
At the Golden Gate
By Walter Learned (18471915)U
Poor, weary, foolish fair,
Who with gem-circled arms and empty lamp
Stands, waiting, listening, there.
Nor did they lingering wait,
But left her in her dumb despair, alone
Before the golden gate.
Our tardy homage. Haste!
For black night falls. Since He no more returns,
Why here the moments waste?
And life is fair; and yet
Somewhere the lute shall stir our dancing feet,
If we can but forget.”
So dear, it was her choice
To wait and listen, if she might but hear
Only the Bridegroom’s voice.
Thus sorrowful to wait,
Repentant, though her punishment was hard,
Before the golden gate.
To pardon guilt and sin?
Perchance the Lord himself unbarred the gates
And led the wanderer in.