Classic Poem

The strength of man first storms the heart:
But in the end the woman gives as well.
Man's love first plays its urgent part;
Man's passion sweeps wide-winged o'er valley and fell.

First man pursues. With strength he seeks:
For months he deems that no response is there.
Then, on a sudden, rose-red cheeks!—
He laughs, and kisses lips and throat and hair.
This is love's reciprocity divine.
Man loves,—and thinks the woman cold:
But her pure heart is learning line by line
Love-lore it may not yet unfold.

Wait. Let the love-god slowly win the heart.
One day the soft eyes full of tears
Will speak a message past the reach of Art;
Yet he may understand who hears.