| Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). An American Anthology, 1787–1900. 1900. |
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| 973. The Skeleton at the Feast |
| | | By James Jeffrey Roche |
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| WE summoned not the Silent Guest, | |
| And no man spake his name; | |
| By lips unseen our Cup was pressed, | |
| And mid the merry song and jest, | |
| The Uninvited came. | 5 |
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| Wise were they in the days of old, | |
| Who gave the Stranger place; | |
| And when the joyous catch was trolled, | |
| And toasts were quaffed and tales were told, | |
| They looked him in the face. | 10 |
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| God save us from the skeleton | |
| Who sitteth at the feast! | |
| God rest the manly spirit gone, | |
| Who sat beside the Silent One, | |
| And dreaded him the least! | 15 |
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