Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). An American Anthology, 1787–1900. 1900.
By MildredHowells1657 Romance
D
Through a warm garden full of old-time flowers,
Stretches a pathway, where the wrinkled toad
Sits lost in sunlight through long summer hours.
That there, a few yards from the old house door,
Just where the apple and the pear trees meet,
The noble deeds of old are lived once more!—
To Joan of Arc angelic voices sing,
And once again the brave inspired maid
Gives up her life for France and for her king.
They change to England’s rougher, colder shore,
Where rules Elizabeth, the Virgin Queen,
Or where King Arthur holds his court once more.
Their eyes are old, and as they pass their way,
It only seems to them beneath the tree
They see a little dark-eyed girl at play.