Richard Watson Gilder (1844-1909) was an American poet and editor of Scribner’s Monthly (later, Century Magazine) an early competitor of Atlantic Monthly and Harper’s Monthly. He lived in Manhattan with his wife where they were known for their Friday evening gatherings of writers, artists, and musicians. Many of his poems have religious themes, the following does not. It is a bold love poem:

“My Love for Thee Doth March Like Arméd Men”

My love for thee doth march like arméd men
Against a queenly city they would take.
Along the army’s front its banners shake;
Across the mountain and the sun-smit plain
It steadfast sweeps the steadfast rain;
And now the trumpet makes the still air quake,
And now the thundering cannon doth awake
Echo on echo, echoing loud again.
But, lo! the conquest higher than bard had sung;
Instead of answering cannon comes a small
White flag; the iron gates are open flung,
And flowers along the invaders’ pathway fall.
The city’s conquerors feast their foes among,
And their brave flags are trophies on her wall.

Nineteenth century romance . . . very nice.

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