Classic Poem

Before time was woman,
She brought the first day out of the day that was not first,
She was couched in motherhood and reaffirmed in her child and matched to virile delight.
Before space was woman,
Out of her distance came and habitable worlds and men who gave the earth its dreams.
Forthcoming, forthcoming,
Always giving her due to the hungering soil,
Always renewing the ever unappeased laws,
Always renowned, yet not always free,
Always revered, yet not always respected,
The unaccomplished ideal in her completeness ratified.

Who shall remove the veil from woman?
Who shall break the clouds before her radiant eyes?
Who shall be foremost to affront the dulled senses of her ancient slavemasters?
Who shall give woman to her child, in free treaty sanctioned?
The dream of woman grants suffrage to life and joy
When you speak of your law woman shudders:
When you speak of your passion woman is humbled:
When you speak of your duty woman disdains:
When you speak of your love woman loves.
The hand that removes her veil will abolish chivalry forever:
It will be a man's ungloved hand, or her own, bearing no lace or flag.
Though you worshiped her face you worshiped it behind a cloud.
Now you may still worship, but you must worship as an equal born,
Conceding the august compact.