| Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). An American Anthology, 1787–1900. 1900. |
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| 881. Disarmed |
| | | By Laura Redden Searing (“Howard Glyndon”) |
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| O LOVE, so sweet at first. | |
| So bitter in the end! | |
| Thou canst be fiercest foe, | |
| As well as fairest friend. | |
| Are these poor withered leaves | 5 |
| The fruitage of thy May? | |
| Thou that wert strong to save, | |
| How art thou swift to slay! | |
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| Ay, thou art swift to slay, | |
| Despite thy kiss and clasp, | 10 |
| Thy long, caressing look, | |
| Thy subtle, thrilling grasp! | |
| Ay, swifter far to slay | |
| Than thou art strong to save, | |
| And selfish in thy need, | 15 |
| And cruel as the grave. | |
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| Yes, cruel as the grave,— | |
| Go, go, and come no more! | |
| But canst thou set my heart | |
| Just where it was before? | 20 |
| Go, go,—and come no more! | |
| Go, leave me with my tears, | |
| The only gift of thine | |
| That shall outlive the years. | |
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| Yet shall outlive the years | 25 |
| One other, cherished thing, | |
| Slight as a vagrant plume | |
| Shed from some passing wing:— | |
| The memory of thy first | |
| Divine, half-timid kiss. | 30 |
| Go! I forgive thee all | |
| In weeping over this! | |
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