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 Old Story
By Mary Newmarch Prescott (18491888)B
All familiar flowers would grow,
Though we two were gone;
Moon and stars would rise and set,
Dawn the laggard night forget,
And the world move on.
Life be counted sweet and good,
While the seasons sped;
Winter storms would prove their might,
Winter frosts make bold to bite,
Clouds lift overhead.
Still in the heaven-appointed bow
In its place be hung;
Not one flower the less would bloom,
Though we two had met our doom,
No song less be sung.
Would go, loitering, two and two,
When the day was done;
Lips would pass the kiss divine,
Hearts would beat like yours and mine,—
Hearts that beat as one.