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

By Julie MathildeLippmann

1542 Love and Life

“GIVE me a fillet, Love,” quoth I,

“To bind my Sweeting’s heart to me,

So ne’er a chance of earth or sky

Shall part us ruthlessly:

A fillet, Love, but not to chafe

My Sweeting’s soul, to cause her pain;

But just to bind her close and safe

Through snow and blossom sun and rain:

A fillet, boy!”

Love said, “Here ’s joy.”

“Give me a fetter, Life,” quoth I,

“To bind to mine my Sweeting’s heart,

So Death himself must fail to pry

With Time the two apart:

A fetter, Life, that each shall wear,

Whose precious bondage each shall know.

I prithee, Life, no more forbear—

Why dost thou wait and falter so?

Haste, Life—be brief!”

Said Life:—“Here ’s grief.”