| Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (18331908). An American Anthology, 17871900. 1900. |
| |
| 1623. Processional |
| | | By Alice Archer (Sewall) James |
| |
| |
| MY love leads the white bulls to sacrifice. | |
| He is white, and he leans against their folded necks. | |
| Blue is the sky behind them, and the dust from the highway yellows his ivory limbs. | |
| He leans and moves, restraining, yet drawn on by tossing heads. | |
| He feels the festal music; rapid and strong are his arms and breast; | 5 |
| Yet from his waist beneath, loose and slow is his resting pace, | |
| Flowers are in his hair, and he is fair. | |
| He thinks he is but strong; he can overcome, | |
| And his mind sees only the impatient horns; | |
| But my heart sees his slimness, and would care for him like a mother. | 10 |
| My love leads the white bulls to sacrifice. | |
| |
|
|
|