| Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). An American Anthology, 1787–1900. 1900. |
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| 1288. The Graveyard Rabbit |
| | | By Frank Lebby Stanton |
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| IN the white moonlight, where the willow waves, | |
| He halfway gallops among the graves— | |
| A tiny ghost in the gloom and gleam, | |
| Content to dwell where the dead men dream, | |
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| But wary still! | 5 |
| For they plot him ill; | |
| For the graveyard rabbit hath a charm | |
| (May God defend us!) to shield from harm. | |
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| Over the shimmering slabs he goes— | |
| Every grave in the dark he knows; | 10 |
| But his nest is hidden from human eye | |
| Where headstones broken on old graves lie. | |
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| Wary still! | |
| For they plot him ill; | |
| For the graveyard rabbit, though sceptics scoff, | 15 |
| Charmeth the witch and the wizard off! | |
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| The black man creeps, when the night is dim, | |
| Fearful, still, on the track of him; | |
| Or fleetly follows the way he runs, | |
| For he heals the hurts of the conjured ones. | 20 |
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| Wary still! | |
| For they plot him ill; | |
| The soul’s bewitched that would find release,— | |
| To the graveyard rabbit go for peace! | |
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| He holds their secret—he brings a boon | 25 |
| Where winds moan wild in the dark o’ the moon; | |
| And gold shall glitter and love smile sweet | |
| To whoever shall sever his furry feet! | |
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| Wary still! | |
| For they plot him ill; | 30 |
| For the graveyard rabbit hath a charm | |
| (May God defend us!) to shield from harm. | |
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