Library of the best American literature / Containing the lives of our authors in story form, their portraits, their homes, and their personal traits, how they worked and what they wrote; choice selections from eminent writers, embracing great American poets and novelists, foremost women in American letters, distinguished critics and essayists, our national humorists, noted journalists and magazine contributors, popular writers for young people, great orators and public lecturers

by Unknown

God of my spirit!—but a day,—to win

Something to satisfy this thirst within!

I would know something here!

Break for me but one seal that is unbroken!

Speak for me but one word that is unspoken!

“Vain,—vain,—my brain is turning

With a swift dizziness, and my heart grows sick,

And these hot temple-throbs come fast and thick,

And I am freezing,—burning,—

Dying! Oh, God! if I might only live!