Classic Poem

What were this human
World without woman?
Think — just a minute! —
Without one in it —
A Man-Eden only,
Wretched and lonely
True, there's a story
Scarce to her glory
Therewith connected,
But 'tis suspected
Man, after all,
Was quite ready to fall!
If fault, he condoned it —
And through the years since,
Even has atoned it.

Woman! Be honor
Ever upon her,
Whether as maiden,
Shy, beauty-laden —
Daughter, wife, sister,
Who can resist her?
Or as that other
And great, the Mother,
Her babe — blossoms moulding
To perfect unfolding —
To home-temple guarding
To richest rewarding.

Though none be purer,
Sweeter and surer,
Avenues wider
Now open beside her
Each day some new way!
God send the true way
She may seek ever
With earnest endeavor
Here to the dark, a light!
Here to the wrong, the right!
There the truth sifting!
A soul, here, uplifting!
Patient, prevailing,
With purpose unfailing,
Till at Life's portal
Through Love immortal,
Supremely she stands,
The World in her hands.

Woman! All honor
And blessing upon her!
Knowing her truly,
Knowing her fully,
All her completeness,
Tenderness, sweetness —
Though there be times, too,
Sweet hardly rhymes to,
All of the changes
Through which she ranges,
Moods, tenses, phases,
I sing her praises.