Days and Hours By Frederick Tennyson |
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WOMAN. |
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165
WOMAN.
I
If Love and Truth could move the springsOf this great World of men and things,
Then set a Woman on the throne
Of all the Earth—and her alone.
II
Ah! then a sigh would glad our eyes,As though the gates of Paradise
Should fly asunder, and be seen
The evergreens and light between!
III
Ah then 'twould be long Summer-day,As though the rolling earth should stay
Its course against the Summer Sun,
And in its joy forget to run!
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IV
Her love, like sunshine, o'er the landWould flow, and compass heart and hand
Farther than Battle's crimson eye
Can glare, or ashy Ruin fly.
V
But Man with his progressive forceMust hold the planet in its course,
And bid it, as it turns, unfold
All aspects, that it ne'er grow old.
VI
While She is weaving in her loomFlowers pluckt at every honor'd tomb,
With faithful eyes content to see
In Good that is whate'er shall be;
VII
While the Muses near her lyingHymn holy sorrow, bliss undying,
And mingle with their minstrelsies
Melodious echoes, and sweet sighs;
167
VIII
While She sits gazing on the Past,Let Him go by with armed haste;
While She is fix'd in love and wonder,
Let Him rush on with fire and thunder.
IX
While She sings thro' the evening hours,Let Him repass her fadeless bowers
With banners, and triumphal cries,
And festal songs, and victories!
X
Yet Oh! if God be Love for ever,And Peace the end of all endeavor,
Man's strength encumber'd by his sins
Oft fails to end where She begins;
XI
Let Him remember in his pride,While She is weeping by his side,
That Heaven may spare the stronger one
'Mid his ill deeds, for Her alone!
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