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

By Jeannette BlissGillespy

1721 Cameos

1
A VALENTINE

THE WISE forget, dear heart;

They leave the past

And play the hero’s part,

Brave to the last.

They weep not nor regret,

Calm are their eyes.

Dear heart, the wise forget.—

I am not wise!

2
FORGIVEN?

I SAW Love stand,

Not as he was ere we in conflict met,

But pale and wan. I knelt—I caught his hand—

“O Love,” I cried, “I did not understand!

Forgive—forget!”

Love raised his head

And smiled at me, with weary eyes and worn.

“I have forgot—what was it all?” he said;

“Only—my hands are scarred where they have bled;

My wings are torn.”