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

By Josephine PrestonPeabody

1665 Wood-Song

LOVE must be a fearsome thing

That can bind a maid

Glad of life as leaves in spring,

Swift and unafraid.

I could find a heart to sing

Death and darkness, praise or blame;

But before that name,

Heedfully, oh, heedfully

Do I lock my breast;

I am silent as a tree,

Guardful of the nest.

Ah, my passing Woodlander,

Heard you any note?

Would you find a leaf astir

From a wilding throat?

Surely, all the paths defer

Unto such a gentle quest.

Would you take the nest?

Follow where the sun-motes are!

Truly ’t is a sorrow

I must bid you fare so far;

Speed you, and good-morrow!