| Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). An American Anthology, 1787–1900. 1900. |
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| 596. “Song, to the Gods, Is Sweetest Sacrifice” |
| | | By Annie Fields |
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| “BEHOLD another singer!” Criton said, | |
| And sneered, and in his sneering turned the leaf: | |
| “Who reads the poets now? They are past and dead: | |
| Give me for their vain work unrhymed relief.” | |
| A laugh went round. Meanwhile the last ripe sheaf | 5 |
| Of corn was garnered, and the summer birds | |
| Stilled their dear notes, while autumn’s voice of grief | |
| Rang through the fields, and wept the gathered herds. | |
| Then in despair men murmured: “Is this all,— | |
| To fade and die within this narrow ring? | 10 |
| Where are the singers, with their hearts aflame, | |
| To tell again what those of old let fall,— | |
| How to decaying worlds fresh promise came, | |
| And how our angels in the night-time sing?” | |
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