Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). An American Anthology, 1787–1900. 1900.

By AliceBrown

1299 Cloistered

SEAL thou the window! Yea, shut out the light

And bar my door to all the airs of spring.

Yet in my cell, concealed from curious sight,

Here will I sit and sing.

Deaf, blind, and wilt Thou have me dumb, also,

Telling in silence these sad beads of days?

So let it be: though no sweet numbers flow,

My breath shall be Thy praise.

Yea, though Thou slay the life wherein men see

The upward-mounting flame, the failing spark,

My heart of love, that heart Thou gavest me,

Shall beat on in the dark.