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Shall be by thee to nobler virtue won.
The power to bless by charming—wondrous gift!
How rich who hath it! How made like to God!
Woman, this most exalts thee and adorns;
Gives thee a sovereign sway, if so thou wilt,
And makes thee as a spirit of the skies.

  To all, such Edith seemed. But most to one,
Young Arthur, from her childhood playmate, friend,
Sharer of frolic hours, and o'er the fields
And thro' the shadowy woods, when summer glowed,
Leader of many a ramble. Always kind,
Homeward from school her satchel oft he bore,
And through the winter snow her pathway trod;
Or cross the swollen brook, with friendly hand,
By the rude stepping-stones, he safely led.
With changing years advanced to manhood now,
Transformed he seems, yet not another made.
In manners courteous, almost distant grown,
Yet is he near her oft, with calm content
On his fair face clear written, and an eye