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

By MorrisRosenfeld

1736 I Know Not Why

I LIFT mine eyes against the sky,

The clouds are weeping, so am I;

I lift mine eyes again on high,

The sun is smiling, so am I.

Why do I smile? Why do I weep?

I do not know; it lies too deep.

I hear the winds of autumn sigh,

They break my heart, they make me cry;

I hear the birds of lovely spring,

My hopes revive, I help them sing.

Why do I sing? Why do I cry?

It lies so deep, I know not why.