Page:Poems Clark.djvu/28

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
WOMAN'S RIGHTS
Her "rights" are heaven-appointed, clothed with pa- tience,
Linked to her mission by a golden chain,
Inlaid with diamond duties, through whose gleam- ing
What else was dark lies purely fair and plain.

Her "right" it is, where mountain paths are steepest,
Patient to walk beside her brother man;
To trace her name with his in deathless letters,—
Share his best honors, aid his noblest plan.

These she may share, but, dearer still, she claimeth
Exclusive "rights" that unto her belong,
Giving to life its crowning wave of beauty,
Giving more sweetness to her sweetest song.

Hers to hold fondly on her loving bosom
The little ones, whom Jesus said are blest;
To clasp fair folded hands, and guide the whispers
Of children's prayers when twilight heralds rest.

Hers to smooth tangled ways by sweet foreknowledge,
That cometh only from her wealth of love;
To guide the tempted into paths whose ending
Opens the golden gates of peace above.

Hers to make home a shadowing forth of heaven;
To sit, home's angel, in the hearth-flame's glow;
To make man better by her loving presence,
And faith's calm beauties in her own life show.

22