1627. Why? by Stephen Crane. Stedman, Edmund Clarence, ed. 1900. An American Anthology, 1787-1900

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

1627. Why?

By Stephen Crane


BEHOLD, the grave of a wicked man,
And near it, a stern spirit.

There came a drooping maid with violets,
But the spirit grasped her arm.
“No flowers for him,” he said.	5
The maid wept:
“Ah, I loved him.”
But the spirit, grim and frowning:
No flowers for him.”

Now, this is it—	10
If the spirit was just,
Why did the maid weep?