Page:Poems Rossetti.djvu/376

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348
"A HELPMEET FOR HIM".
"A HELPMEET FOR HIM."
WOMAN was made for man's delight;
Charm, O woman, be not afraid!
His shadow by day, his moon by night,
Woman was made.

Her strength with weakness is overlaid;
Meek compliances veil her might;
Him she stays, by whom she is stayed.

World-wide champion of truth and right,
Hope in gloom and in danger aid,
Tender and faithful, ruddy and white,
Woman was made.


MAIDEN MAY.
MAIDEN May sat in her bower,
In her blush rose bower in flower,
    Sweet of scent;
Sat and dreamed away an hour,
Half content, half uncontent.

"Why should rose blossoms be born,
Tender blossoms, on a thorn
    Though so sweet?
Never a thorn besets the corn
Scentless in its strength complete.