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

By Edward RowlandSill

781 Tempted

YES, I know what you say:

Since it cannot be soul to soul,

Be it flesh to flesh, as it may;

But is Earth the whole?

Shall a man betray the Past

For all Earth gives?

“But the Past is dead?” At last

It is all that lives.

Which were the nobler goal,—

To snatch at the moment’s bliss

Or to swear I will keep my soul

Clean for her kiss?