Classic Poem

Of all sweet lovely things God ever made
I think the purest sweetest loveliest thing
Was moulded when he let thought's sombre wing
Touch woman's sunlit brow with genius' shade.
It was a great thought when God, unafraid,
First gave to woman passionate arms to cling: —
But when God gave her fiery heart to sing
A greater thought the Master's will obeyed.

There is no greater thought of God than this:
That woman in her spirit should combine
Love and sweet genius, — that her hand should twine
Laurels and roses, — that her lips should kiss,
While her pure genius-hands the while design
Work that outstrips the pale eternities.