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
The Hearts Song
By Arthur Cleveland Coxe (18181896)I
List—thy bosom door!
How it knocketh, knocketh, knocketh,
Knocketh evermore!
Say not—’Tis thy pulse’s beating,
’Tis thy heart of sin;
’Tis thy Saviour knocks, and crieth,
Rise and let me in!
To the hall or hut:
Think you Death will tarry knocking
Where the door is shut?
Jesus waiteth—waiteth—waiteth,
But the door is fast;
Grieved, away the Saviour goeth:
Death breaks in at last.
Christ to let thee in:
At the gate of heaven beating,
Wailing for thy sin.
Nay, alas! thou foolish virgin,
Hast thou then forgot
Jesus waited long to know thee,
But—He knows thee not.