Harriet Monroe, ed. (1860–1936). The New Poetry: An Anthology. 1917.
Beauty in Fourth StreetDavid Osborne Hamilton
From “Hoofs and Haloes”
I
IOur path in June, and eagerly
Thrust up the gay flowers through the ground
And put a bird on every tree.
That Beauty followed where we led,
And sat beside our stove all day,
And lay at night upon our bed.
I live with Beauty, and across the way
I see a shabby park where women sit
And scold the dirty children from their play,
While old men shift their wrinkled legs and spit.
Shall I cry out how Beauty came to me?
O futile lips, be still! O heart, close fast!
Break not with joy, lest you set Beauty free!