| Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). An American Anthology, 1787–1900. 1900. |
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| 1523. The Dust |
| | | By Gertrude Hall |
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| IT settles softly on your things, | |
| Impalpable, fine, light, dull, gray: | |
| Her dingy dust-clout Betty brings, | |
| And singing brushes it away: | |
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| And it ’s a queen’s robe, once so proud, | 5 |
| And it ’s the moths fed in its fold, | |
| It ’s leaves, and roses, and the shroud | |
| Wherein an ancient saint was rolled. | |
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| And it is Beauty’s golden hair, | |
| And it is Genius’ crown of bay, | 10 |
| And it is lips once warm and fair | |
| That kissed in some forgotten May.… | |
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