| William Stanley Braithwaite, ed. (1878–1962). Anthology of Massachusetts Poets. 1922. |
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| The Lilac |
| | | Walter Prichard Eaton |
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| THE SCENT of lilac in the air | |
| Hath made him drag his steps and pause | |
| Whence comes this scent within the Square, | |
| Where endless dusty traffic roars? | |
| A push-cart stands beside the curb, | 5 |
| With fragrant blossoms laden high; | |
| Speak low, nor stare, lest we disturb | |
| His sudden reverie! | |
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| He sees us not, nor heeds the din | |
| Of clanging car and scuffling throng; | 10 |
| His eyes see fairer sights within, | |
| And memory hears the robin’s song | |
| As once it trilled against the day, | |
| And shook his slumber in a room | |
| Where drifted with the breath of May | 15 |
| The lilac’s sweet perfume. | |
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| The heart of boyhood in him stirs; | |
| The wonder of the morning skies, | |
| Of sunset gold behind the firs, | |
| Is kindled in his dreaming eyes: | 20 |
| How far off is this sordid place, | |
| As turning from our sight away | |
| He crushes to his hungry face | |
| A purple lilac spray. | |
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