Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). An American Anthology, 1787–1900. 1900.

By Lizette WoodworthReese

1253 Telling the Bees

BATHSHEBA came out to the sun,

Out to our wallëd cherry-trees;

The tears adown her cheek did run,

Bathsheba standing in the sun,

Telling the bees.

My mother had that moment died;

Unknowing, sped I to the trees,

And plucked Bathsheba’s hand aside;

Then caught the name that there she cried

Telling the bees.

Her look I never can forget,

I that held sobbing to her knees;

The cherry-boughs above us met;

I think I see Bathsheba yet

Telling the bees.