| Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). An American Anthology, 1787–1900. 1900. |
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| 1005. The Strong |
| | | By John Vance Cheney |
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| DOST deem him weak that owns his strength is tried? | |
| Nay, we may safely lean on him that grieves: | |
| The pine has immemorially sighed, | |
| The enduring poplar’s are the trembling leaves. | |
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| To feel, and bow the head, is not to fear; | 5 |
| To cheat with jest—that is the coward’s art: | |
| Beware the laugh that battles back the tear; | |
| He ’s false to all that ’s traitor to his heart. | |
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| He of great deeds does grope amid the throng | |
| Like him whose steps toward Dagon’s temple bore; | 10 |
| There ’s ever something sad about the strong— | |
| A look, a moan, like that on ocean’s shore. | |
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