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

By Anne ReeveAldrich

1587 A Little Parable

I MADE the cross myself whose weight

Was later laid on me.

This thought is torture as I toil

Up life’s steep Calvary.

To think mine own hands drove the nails!

I sang a merry song,

And chose the heaviest wood I had

To build it firm and strong.

If I had guessed—if I had dreamed

Its weight was meant for me,

I should have made a lighter cross

To bear up Calvary!