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

I ever had kissed were dumb;

That my dearest ones were dead and gone,

And never a friend would come.

But I hear a voice as sweet

As the fall of summer showers;

And the grave that yawned at my very feet

Is filled to the top with flowers!

As if ’t were the midnight hour,

I sat with gloom opprest;

When a light was breaking out of the east