(_AFTER HEARING MR. SAMSON'S LECTURE._)
["To keep the family true, refined, affectionate, faithful,
is the woman's task--a task that needs the entire energies and
life of woman; and to mix up this sacred duty with the grosser
occupation of politics and trade, is to unfit her for it
as much as if a priest were to embark in the business of
money-lender."--FREDERIC HARRISON.]
[Illustration]
I Prithee, ARAMINTA, hear
What FREDERIC HARRISON has said:
Don't read for College honours, dear,
And put a towel round your head.
Don't sully what should surely be
An unstained soul, with tricks of trade;
Leave stern official work to me,
While you remain a simple maid.
Don't prate of woman's function, sweet,
Your only duty is to charm;
Leave platform spouting, as is meet,
To men; it cannot do them harm.
Your influence comes from gracious ways,
Your glory in the home doth lie;
The guardian angel of our days,
Until you bless us when we die.
Don't enter on ignoble strife
With man, 'tis yours to soar above--
To all the higher things of life,
Divine compassion, and pure love.
'Tis yours to stimulate, refine,
To win men by a kindly heart;
Not grovel with us where the sign
Of Mammon hangs above the mart.
Thine is the task to reign supreme
Within the sacred sphere of home;
To make our life one happy dream,
Thine own as spotless as the foam.
To trade, to toil, to head the feast,
To seek the politician's gain,
Were hateful:--ay, as though the priest
Took usury, within the fane!
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