| Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). An American Anthology, 1787–1900. 1900. |
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| 1347. Arraignment |
| | | By Helen Gray Cone |
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| “NOT ye who have stoned, not ye who have smitten us,” cry | |
| The sad, great souls, as they go out hence into dark,— | |
| “Not ye we accuse, though for you was our passion borne; | |
| And ye we reproach not, who silently passed us by. | |
| We forgive blind eyes and the ears that would not hark, | 5 |
| The careless and causeless hate and the shallow scorn. | |
| “But ye, who have seemed to know us, have seen and heard; | |
| Who have set us at feasts and have crowned with the costly rose; | |
| Who have spread us the purple of praises beneath our feet; | |
| Yet guessed not the word that we spake was a living word, | 10 |
| Applauding the sound,—we account you as worse than foes! | |
| We sobbed you our message: ye said, ‘It is song, and sweet!’” | |
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