Woman has certain rights I own,
That none will dare deny;
No king nor senate can destroy
Her claims,--nor will they try.
'Tis hers to smooth the homeward path
Of age,--her strength their stay;
To guide their feeble footsteps here,--
To brush life's thorns away.
'Tis hers to make a sunny home,
To cherish and support
With love, the one who claims her heart,
Through good and bad report.
To watch the tiny sleeping babe,
Just nestling in her breast,
To shield it with her mother-love,
And guard it in its rest.
To watch in vigils of the night,
The fever-tossed frame;
To cool the dry, and parched lips,
And ease the racking pain.
To close the eyes when all is o'er,
To weep with those who weep;
To help the weary in their task,
Keep guard whilst others sleep.
To love and cherish, guard, protect,
Make home a sunny spot--
Keep ever pure her mother name,
A name not soon forgot!
To win and wear her husband's love,
As an honored, cherished crest;
To hold her children's hearts, so "they
Will rise and call her bless'd."
To nobly share the widow's woe,
To dry the orphan's tears,
To pray for strength for hearts oppress'd,
And help allay their fears;
To reach a helping, loving hand,
To those who go astray,
And woo them back again to God,
As they faint along the way.
She claims but loving trusting hearts!--
Let all their wealth be shown!--
No law can take, nor ballot give
The jewels of her crown!
These, these, are all a woman's rights--
Quite easy to attain--
For most she governs, it is said,
"When least she seems to reign."