 | WOMAN'S PATRIOTISM. Water-drops |  |
46. WOMAN'S PATRIOTISM.
How shall we aid the land we love?
O'er dusty tomes to pore,
And catch the warrior's wrathful mood
From Amazonian lore?—
To turbulence, or pride incite,
And quench of peace the angel light?
Relinquish for a meteor's glare
The boon of Love's protecting care?
Ambition's wind-swept heights assail,
And shun the sweet, secluded vale?—
No, sister, no.
How aid our land?—The boastful voice
In public haunts to raise?
Or barter for a fickle fame
Affection's priceless praise?
For “Woman's Rights” to clamor loud,
And dare the throng, and face the crowd?
Or wrapped in wild desire to roam
Forfeit those charities of home,
O'er dusty tomes to pore,
And catch the warrior's wrathful mood
From Amazonian lore?—
To turbulence, or pride incite,
And quench of peace the angel light?
Relinquish for a meteor's glare
The boon of Love's protecting care?
Ambition's wind-swept heights assail,
And shun the sweet, secluded vale?—
No, sister, no.
How aid our land?—The boastful voice
In public haunts to raise?
Or barter for a fickle fame
Affection's priceless praise?
For “Woman's Rights” to clamor loud,
And dare the throng, and face the crowd?
Or wrapped in wild desire to roam
Forfeit those charities of home,
271
That pain can soothe, and grief control,
And lull to harmony the soul?—
No, sister, no.
In her own place, the hearth beside,
The patriot's heart to cheer,
The young, unfolding mind to guide,
The future sage to rear,—
Where sleeps the cradled infant fair,
To watch with love and kneel in prayer,
Cheer each sad soul with pity's smile,
And frown on every latent wile
That threats the pure, domestic shade,
Sister,—so best our life shall aid
The land we love.
And lull to harmony the soul?—
No, sister, no.
In her own place, the hearth beside,
The patriot's heart to cheer,
The young, unfolding mind to guide,
The future sage to rear,—
Where sleeps the cradled infant fair,
To watch with love and kneel in prayer,
Cheer each sad soul with pity's smile,
And frown on every latent wile
That threats the pure, domestic shade,
Sister,—so best our life shall aid
The land we love.
| WOMAN'S PATRIOTISM. Water-drops | |