| Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). A Victorian Anthology, 1837–1895. 1895. |
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| At the Last |
| | | Philip Bourke Marston (1850–87) |
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| BECAUSE the shadows deepen’d verily,— | |
| Because the end of all seem’d near, forsooth,— | |
| Her gracious spirit, ever quick to ruth, | |
| Had pity on her bond-slave, even on me. | |
| She came in with the twilight noiselessly, | 5 |
| Fair as a rose, immaculate as Truth; | |
| She lean’d above my wreck’d and wasted youth; | |
| I felt her presence, which I could not see. | |
| “God keep you, my poor friend,” I heard her say; | |
| And then she kiss’d my dry, hot lips and eyes. | 10 |
| Kiss thou the next kiss, quiet Death, I pray; | |
| Be instant on this hour, and so surprise | |
| My spirit while the vision seems to stay; | |
| Take thou the heart with the heart’s Paradise. | |
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