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Home  »  An American Anthology, 1787–1900  »  1331 A Song’s Worth

Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). An American Anthology, 1787–1900. 1900.

By Susan MarrSpalding

1331 A Song’s Worth

I MADE a song for my dear love’s delight;

I wrought with all sweet words my heart could lend

To longing lips, and thrilled with joy to send

The message only love could read aright.

He came; and while I trembled in his sight,

He kissed my hands and said, “To what sweet end,

Unknowing, hast thou wrought, O gentle friend?

Singing thy song, I learned to woo, despite

My loved one’s frown; and now she is my own.”

Blessing me then, he went his happy way.

The whole world sings my song, and I alone

Am silent; yet through tears I sometimes say,

“To which of us doth greater joy belong?

He hath his love; but I—I have my song.”