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

By John AylmerDorgan

648 The Beautiful

THE BEAUTIFUL, which mocked his fond pursuing,

The poet followed long;

With passionate purpose the shy shadow wooing,

And soul-betraying song.

And still the fervor of his fond endeavor

To him seemed poured in vain,

And all in vain, forever and forever,

The sorrow of his strain.

But when at last he perished broken-hearted,

The world, grown dark and dull,

Bewailed the radiance with him departed

Who was the Beautiful.