| Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). An American Anthology, 1787–1900. 1900. |
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| 691. Sargent’s Portrait of Edwin Booth at “The Players” |
| | | By Thomas Bailey Aldrich |
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| THAT face which no man ever saw | |
| And from his memory banished quite, | |
| With eyes in which are Hamlet ’s awe | |
| And Cardinal Richelieu’s subtle light | |
| Looks from this frame. A master’s hand | 5 |
| Has set the master-player here, | |
| In the fair temple that he planned | |
| Not for himself. To us most dear | |
| This image of him! “It was thus | |
| He looked; such pallor touched his cheek; | 10 |
| With that same grace he greeted us— | |
| Nay, ’t is the man, could it but speak!” | |
| Sad words that shall be said some day— | |
| Far fall the day! O cruel Time, | |
| Whose breath sweeps mortal things away, | 15 |
| Spare long this image of his prime, | |
| That others standing in the place | |
| Where, save as ghosts, we come no more, | |
| May know what sweet majestic face | |
| The gentle Prince of Players wore! | 20 |
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