Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). An American Anthology, 1787–1900. 1900.
By John VanceCheney1005 The Strong
D
Nay, we may safely lean on him that grieves:
The pine has immemorially sighed,
The enduring poplar’s are the trembling leaves.
To cheat with jest—that is the coward’s art:
Beware the laugh that battles back the tear;
He ’s false to all that ’s traitor to his heart.
Like him whose steps toward Dagon’s temple bore;
There ’s ever something sad about the strong—
A look, a moan, like that on ocean’s shore.