Classic Poem

The housewife is held to her labors
By three great powers—
Love, that poureth like water
Through hours and hours

Duty, high as the heavens,
Deep as the sea—
These, and the great compeller,
Necessity

Duty holds her to housework,
Sin to be free;
These are the bonds of the housewife—
They bind not me!

The man is spurred to his labors
Of plow or sword,
By two of the great incentives—
Pride and Reward.

He in his work finds glory,
Height after height;
He in his work finds riches,
Gain and delight

Triumph of world-wide conquest—
Profit in fee;
These spur man to his labors—
They spur not me!

I am the lowest of labor,
Ignorant, strong.
They on my ignorance reckoned,
Held me thus long

Lately I grow to discover
Life's broader way:
Nothing to hold me or spur me—
Why should I stay?