| Higginson and Bigelow, comps. American Sonnets. 1891. | | | | The Cup of Death | | By Louise (Chandler) Moulton (1835–1908) |
| | For a Picture by Elihu Vedder
SHE bends her lovely head to taste thy draught, | |
| O thou stern Angel of the Darker Cup, | |
| With thee to-night in the dim shades to sup, | |
| Where all they be who from that cup have quaffed. | |
| She had been glad in her own loveliness, and laughed | 5 |
| At Life’s strong enemies who lie in wait, | |
| Had kept with golden youth her queenly state, | |
| All unafraid of Sorrow’s threat’ning shaft. | |
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| Then human Grief found out her human heart, | |
| And she was fain to go where pain is dumb; | 10 |
| So Thou wert welcome, Angel dread to see, | |
| And she fares onward with thee, willingly, | |
| To dwell where no man loves, no lovers part,— | |
| Thus Grief that is makes welcome Death to come. | | | | |
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