POETRY.

White Ribbon, Volume 12, Issue 135, 15 August 1906, Page 10

POETRY.

“LET US MAKE WOMAN.” A Painting bt George Frederick Waits in the Tate Gallery, London, By KATHERINE LENT STKVENSON, Perfumes and flowers, butterflies and mists, Soft, clinging vines and blossoms writh colours gay ■ Bird-notes, star gleams, gi\*m moss by sunshine kissed, All wild, free things, that make for joy, alway:— Those has the artist caught in vision clear, And mingled in one vast alembic hue. What ; s the product of this mystic blend ? A woman such mb God Himself first saw : No dainty weakling, seeking but to bend Her own soul’s life into another s law, — Hut strong and free she rises from the sod, Her arms outstretched, her face upturned, to God. Note wel! ,be moulding of that figure grand ! Strong, firm and full of courage she must be, Hut gentle to the touch of childish hand, Fleet in love’t service, but in service free ; Well is Creation’s verdict, “ Very good,” When, as its crown, God sets sue h womanhood. Not yet have we attained our high estate, O sister woman, and O brother man ; Hut though the vision tarry we will wait Till its full glory dawn and till we can, Hoth man and woman, hand in hand, upris< To face lile’e toil with joy-compelling eyes.

Equal in privilege and one in hope Free in the home, the mart, the Church, the State ; Strong each to bear life’s burden, strong to cope With wrong where’er enthroned, anJ strong to hate The foes that threaten our fair nation’s life, A righteous hate that shrinks not from the strife. O vision fair, by artist-poet seen. Ye yet shall be revealed to all men’s eyes ; Woman shall take her place in truth as Queen In that real Queenhood which in service lies. In strength and tenderness our homes shall rise And justice shall be known beneath our skies. Hasten, O I ord, the dawning of this day ' Strike off the fetters that now bind us here ; Open our eyes to all Thy |>erfect way ; Teach us Thy truth to s{>eak and know- no fear ; Once more send forth Thy great creative word, In strength and l>eauty build Thy temple, Lord.