| Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). An American Anthology, 1787–1900. 1900. |
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| 976. Vita Benefica |
| | | By Alice Wellington Rollins |
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| ON softest pillows my dim eyes unclose; | |
| No pain,—delicious weariness instead; | |
| Sweet silence broods around the quiet bed, | |
| And round me breathes the fragrance of the rose. | |
| The moonlight leans against the pane, and shows | 5 |
| The little leaves outside in watchful dread | |
| Keeping their guard; while with swift, noiseless tread | |
| Love in its lovelier service comes and goes. | |
| A hand I love brings nectar; near me bends | |
| A face I love; ah! it is over!—this | 10 |
| Indeed is heaven. Could I only tell | |
| Dear ones whose hearts the sorrow for me rends | |
| How easily one meets Death’s gentle kiss,— | |
| And then I woke—to find that I was well! | |
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