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

By JohnHay

729 The Stirrup-Cup

MY short and happy day is done,

The long and dreary night comes on,

And at my door the pale horse stands

To carry me to unknown lands.

His whinny shrill, his pawing hoof,

Sound dreadful as a gathering storm;

And I must leave this sheltering roof

And joys of life so soft and warm.

Tender and warm the joys of life,—

Good friends, the faithful and the true;

My rosy children and my wife,

So sweet to kiss, so fair to view,—

So sweet to kiss, so fair to view:

The night comes down, the lights burn blue;

And at my door the pale horse stands

To bear me forth to unknown lands.