Oh, ye who in those Houses hold
The scepter of command!
Thought's scepter, sunlit, in the soul,
Not golden, in the hand!

Was there not one among ye all,
No heart, that Love could thrill,
To move some slight amendment there,
Before you passed the bill?

Ye make our gold and lands secure;
Maybe you do not know,
That we have other property,
We'd rather not forego

There are such things in woman's heart,
As fancies, tastes, affections; —
Are no encroachments made on these?
Do they need no " protections " ?

Do we not daily sacrifice,
To our lords — and Creation's
Some darling wish — some petted whim,
Ah, me! in vain oblations!

These " cold realities " of life, —
These men, with their intrusions;
Do they not rob us, one by one,
Of all our " warm illusions " ?

These highway robbers, prowling round,
Our " young affections " stealing,
Do they not take our richest store
Of Truth and Faith and Feeling!


Our " better judgment, " " finer sense, "
We yield with souls that falter, —
A costly, dainty holocaust,
Upon a tyrant's altar;

We waste on them our " golden " hours,
Our " real estate " of Beauty,
The bloom of Life's young passion-flowers —
And still they talk of " Duty "

Alas for those, whose all of wealth
Is in their souls and faces,
Whose only " rents " are rents in heart,
Whose only tenants — graces

How must that poor protection bill
Provoke their bitter laughter,
Since they themselves are leased for life,
And no pay-day till after!

By all the rest you fondly hope,
When ends this lengthened session,
That household peace, which Woman holds
Thank Heaven! at her discretion

If a light of generous chivalry,
This wild appeal arouses,
Present a truer, nobler bill!
And let it pass — all houses!