Selected Poetry.

Western Star, Issue 861, 19 July 1884, Page 2 (Supplement)

Selected Poetry.

A WOMAN’S ANSWER. “ Love thee P” thou cans’t not ask of me So freely as I fain would give; * Tia woman’s great necessity To love as long as she shall live ; Therefore, if thou dost lovely prove, I cannot choose hut give the love ! " Honour thee P” By her reverence The truest woman best is known; She needs must honour where she finds A nature loftier than her own j I will not turn from thee away Unless I find my idol clay. “ Obey ?” Doth not the stronger will ■ The weaker govern and retain P Moat sweet obedience woman yields Where wisdom, power, and manhood reign; I give thee, if thou can’st control, The meek submission of my soul! Henceforward all my life shall be Moulded and fashioned by thy own. If wisdom, power and constancy In ell thy words and deeds are shown, Whether my vow be yea or nay. I’ll“ love and honour, and obey.” AT THE DOOR. I thought myself indeed secure— So fast the door, so firm the lock — But lo! he toddling comes to lure My parent ear with timorous knock. My heart were stone could it wit hstand The sweetness of my baby’s plea—. That timorous baby knocking and “Please let me in—it’s only me!” I threw- aside th’ unfinished book, Regardless of its tempting charms. And opening wide the door, I took My laughing darling in my arms. Who knows but in eternity I, like a truant child, shall wait The glories of a life to be. Beyond the Heavenly Father’s gate ? And will the Heavenly Father heed The truant’s supplicating cry, Ah at the outer door I plead «’Tis I, O Father! only I?” —Eugene Field, in the Century.