Contents -BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD

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

By RichardHovey

1539 Laurana’s Song

WHO ’LL have the crumpled pieces of a heart?

Let him take mine!

Who ’ll give his whole of passion for a part,

And call ’t divine?

Who ’ll have the soiled remainder of desire?

Who ’ll warm his fingers at a burnt-out fire?

Who ’ll drink the lees of love, and cast i’ the mire

The nobler wine?

Let him come here, and kiss me on the mouth,

And have his will!

Love dead and dry as summer in the South

When winds are still,

And all the leafage shrivels in the heat!

Let him come here and linger at my feet

Till he grow weary with the over-sweet,

And die, or kill.