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

By Francis BretHarte

750 What the Bullet Sang

O JOY of creation

To be!

O rapture to fly

And be free!

Be the battle lost or won,

Though its smoke shall hide the sun,

I shall find my love,—the one

Born for me!

I shall know him where he stands,

All alone,

With the power in his hands

Not o’erthrown;

I shall know him by his face,

By his godlike front and grace;

I shall hold him for a space,

All my own!

It is he—O my love!

So bold!

It is I—all thy love

Foretold!

It is I. O love! what bliss!

Dost thou answer to my kiss?

O sweetheart! what is this

Lieth there so cold?