| Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). An American Anthology, 1787–1900. 1900. |
| |
| 1443. Birth |
| | | By Annie R. Stillman (“Grace Raymond”) |
| |
| |
| JUST when each bed was big with bloom, | |
| And as prophetic of perfume, | |
| When spring, with her bright horoscope, | |
| Was sweet as an unuttered hope; | |
| |
| Just when the last star flickered out, | 5 |
| And twilight, like a soul in doubt, | |
| Hovered between the dark and dawn, | |
| And day lay waiting to be born; | |
| |
| Just when the gray and dewy air | |
| Grew sacred as an unvoiced prayer, | 10 |
| And somewhere through the dusk she heard | |
| The stirring of a nested bird,— | |
| |
| Four angels glorified the place: | |
| Wan Pain unveiled her awful face; | |
| Joy, soaring, sang; Love, brooding, smiled; | 15 |
| Peace laid upon her breast a child. | |
| |
|
|
|
