| Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). An American Anthology, 1787–1900. 1900. |
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| 25. Song |
| | | By John Shaw |
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| WHO has robbed the ocean cave, | |
| To tinge thy lips with coral hue? | |
| Who from India’s distant wave | |
| For thee those pearly treasures drew? | |
| Who, from yonder orient sky, | 5 |
| Stole the morning of thine eye? | |
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| Thousand charms, thy form to deck, | |
| From sea, and earth, and air are torn; | |
| Roses bloom upon thy cheek, | |
| On thy breath their fragrance borne. | 10 |
| Guard thy bosom from the day, | |
| Lest thy snows should melt away. | |
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| But one charm remains behind, | |
| Which mute earth can ne’er impart; | |
| Nor in ocean wilt thou find, | 15 |
| Nor in the circling air, a heart. | |
| Fairest! wouldst thou perfect be, | |
| Take, oh take that heart from me. | |
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