| Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). An American Anthology, 1787–1900. 1900. |
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| 993. Judith |
| | | By William Young |
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| FLOWER of youth, in the ancient frame— | |
| Maid of the mettlesome lip and eye, | |
| Lightly wearing the fateful name, | |
| And the rakish beaver of days gone by! | |
| Pink of fashion! Yet this is she | 5 |
| That once, through midnight forest and fen, | |
| Guided the horsemen of “Old Santee,” | |
| And rode to the death with Marion’s men. | |
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| Rare the picture that decks the wall; | |
| Rare and dainty, in life, below, | 10 |
| My century-later belle of the ball, | |
| Mocking the beauty of long ago. | |
| If now the summons should come to ride, | |
| Through such a darkness as brooded then, | |
| How would it please you to serve as guide? | 15 |
| And where, ah, where were Marion’s men? | |
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| False the logic that breeds the fear. | |
| Buds will blossom, and pipes will play. | |
| So it was in that early year; | |
| So shall it be till the world is gray. | 20 |
| But the petted darling, if need shall be, | |
| As swift to the saddle will vault again; | |
| And those that follow will ride as free | |
| As ever of old rode Marion’s men. | |
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