"A youth in apparel that glittered" - Stephen Crane

A youth in apparel that glittered

Went to walk in a grim forest.

There he met an assassin

Attired all in garb of old days;

He, scowling through the thickets,

And dagger poised quivering,

Rushed upon the youth.

"Sir," said this latter,

"I am enchanted, believe me,

To die, thus,

In this medieval fashion,

According to the best legends;

Ah, what joy!"

Then took he the wound, smiling,

And died, content.

“A man feared that he might find an assassin” - Stephen Crane

A man feared that he might find an assassin;

Another that he might find a victim.

One was more wise than the other.

""It was wrong to do this," said the angel." - Stephen Crane

“It was wrong to do this,” said the angel.

“You should live like a flower,

Holding malice like a puppy,

Waging war like a lambkin.”

“Not so,” quoth the man

Who had no fear of spirits;

“It is only wrong for angels

Who can live like the flowers,

Holding malice like the puppies,

Waging war like the lambkins.”

"If I should cast off this tattered coat," - Stephen Crane

If I should cast off this tattered coat,

And go free into the mighty sky;

If I should find nothing there

But a vast blue,

Echoless, ignorant,—

What then?

"Places among the stars," - Stephen Crane

Places among the stars,

Soft gardens near the sun,

Keep your distant beauty;

Shed no beams upon my weak heart.

Since she is here

In a place of blackness,

Not your golden days

Nor your silver nights

Can call me to you.

Since she is here

In a place of blackness,

Here I stay and wait.