| Thomas R. Lounsbury, ed. (1838–1915). Yale Book of American Verse. 1912. |
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| Edward Coate Pinkney. 1802–1828 |
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| 35. The Widow's Song |
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| I BURN no incense, hang no wreath, | |
| On this, thine early tomb: | |
| Such cannot cheer the place of death, | |
| But only mock its gloom. | |
| Here odorous smoke and breathing flower | 5 |
| No grateful influence shed; | |
| They lose their perfume and their power, | |
| When offered to the dead. | |
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| And if, as is the Afghaun's creed, | |
| The spirit may return, | 10 |
| A disembodied sense to feed, | |
| On fragrance, near its urn— | |
| It is enough, that she, whom thou | |
| Did'st love in living years, | |
| Sits desolate beside it now, | 15 |
| And falls these heavy tears. | |
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