 | Complete Poems of Frances E. W. Harper |  |
REPORT
I heard, my young friend
You were seeking a wife,
A woman to make
Your companion for life.
You were seeking a wife,
A woman to make
Your companion for life.
Now, if you are seeking
A wife for your youth,
Let this be your aim, then—
Seek a woman of truth.
A wife for your youth,
Let this be your aim, then—
Seek a woman of truth.
She may not have talents,
With greatness combined,
Her gifts may be humble,
Of person and mind:
With greatness combined,
Her gifts may be humble,
Of person and mind:
But if she be constant,
And gentle, and true,
Believe me my friend,
She's the woman for you!
And gentle, and true,
Believe me my friend,
She's the woman for you!
Oh! wed not for beauty,
Though fair is the prize;
It may pall when you grasp it,
And fade in your eyes.
Though fair is the prize;
It may pall when you grasp it,
And fade in your eyes.
14
Let gold not allure you,
Let wealth not attract;
With a house full of treasure,
A woman may lack.
Let wealth not attract;
With a house full of treasure,
A woman may lack.
Let her habits be frugal,
Her hands not afraid
To work in her household
Or follow her trade.
Her hands not afraid
To work in her household
Or follow her trade.
Let her language be modest,
Her actions discreet;
Her manners refined,
And free from deceit.
Her actions discreet;
Her manners refined,
And free from deceit.
Now if such you should find,
In your journey through life,
Just open your mind,
And make her your wife.
In your journey through life,
Just open your mind,
And make her your wife.
| Complete Poems of Frances E. W. Harper | |