| Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). An American Anthology, 1787–1900. 1900. |
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| 623. Laura Sleeping |
| | | By Louise Chandler Moulton |
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| COME hither and behold this lady’s face, | |
| Who lies asleep, as if strong Death had kissed | |
| Upon her eyes the kiss none can resist, | |
| And held her fast in his prolonged embrace! | |
| See the still lips, which grant no answering grace | 5 |
| To Love’s fond prayers, and the sweet, carven smile, | |
| Sign of some dream-born joy which did beguile | |
| The dreaming soul from its fair resting-place! | |
| So will she look when Death indeed has sway | |
| O’er her dear loveliness, and holds her fast | 10 |
| In that last sleep which knows nor night nor day, | |
| Which hopes no future, contemplates no past; | |
| So will she look; but now, behold! she wakes— | |
| Thus, from the Night, Dawn’s sunlit beauty breaks. | |
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