| Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). An American Anthology, 1787–1900. 1900. |
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| 416. A Song for the Asking |
| | | By Francis Orrery Ticknor |
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| A SONG! What songs have died | |
| Upon the earth, | |
| Voices of love and pride— | |
| Of tears and mirth? | |
| Fading as hearts forget, | 5 |
| As shadows flee! | |
| Vain is the voice of song, | |
| And yet— | |
| I sing to thee! | |
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| A song! What ocean shell | 10 |
| Were silent long, | |
| If in thy touch might dwell | |
| Its all of song? | |
| A song? Then near my heart | |
| Thy cheek must be, | 15 |
| For, like the shell, it sings— | |
| Sweet Heart— | |
| To thee, of thee! | |
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