Edmund Clarence Stedman (1833-1908)
A graduate of Yale University, Stedman was an American poet, Wall Street banker (1865-1900), and inventor. Born in Hartford, CT, he moved to Plainfield, NJ at age 2, with his mother after his father died, to live with his wealthy grandfather. Later, he became a field correspondent during the Civil War, and wrote a couple comprehensive anthologies featuring Victorian Poets. His "Autumn Song" appeared in The Galaxy in 1868.
"Autumn Song"
No clouds are in the morning sky,
The vapors hug the stream -
Who says that life and love can die
In all this northern gleam?
At every turn the maples burn,
The quail is whistling free,
The partridge whirs, and the frosted burs,
Are dropping for you and me.
Ho! hilly ho! heigh O!
Hilly ho!
In the clear October morning.
Along our path the woods are bold
And glow with ripe desire;
The yellow chestnut showers its gold,
The sumachs spread their fire;
The breezes feel as crisp as steel,
The buckwheat tops are red:
Then down the lane, love, scurry again,
And over the stubble tread!
Ho! hilly ho! heigh O!
Hilly ho!
In the clear October morning.