Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). An American Anthology, 1787–1900. 1900.
By MauriceThompson937 A Flight Shot
W
Glad wanderers over hill and dale.
Of pines that rimmed a Southern glade.
Which of us is the stronger man.
Across the green glade toward the wood.”
Our old yew bows with all our might.
Were poised a moment ere they sped.
Mingled the brown locks of our hair.
As one away our arrows sprang.
Thrilled to their softly whistled tune.
Deep in the ground slantwise alike,
For two thin straws of broom-sedge grass!
To find whose shaft was farthest sent,
That brother’s shaft had fallen short.
Which of us was the stronger man?
Side by side our arrows stood,
Their amber nocks still quivering,
An inch apart and parallel!
“Twin champions of the world are we!”