Thomas R. Lounsbury, ed. (1838–1915). Yale Book of American Verse. 1912.
Richard Watson Gilder 18441909
Richard Watson Gilder216 The River Inn
T
Of the last day of the year.
Two guests to the river inn
Came, from the wide world’s bound—
One with clangor and din,
The other without a sound.
Get the best that your cellars boast. White be the sheets and fine, And the fire on the hearthstone bright; Pile the wood, and spare not the wine, And call him at morning light.” In what chamber shall she rest? In this! Should she not go higher? ’T is damp, and the fire is gone. “You need not kindle the fire, You need not call her at dawn.” On his journey to the North. Oh, bright the sunlight shone Through boughs that the breezes stir; But for her was lifted a stone Under the churchyard fir.