A WOMAN'S SHORTCOMINGS. I. HE has laughed as softly as if she sighed ! SHE She has counted six and over, Of a purse well filled, and a heart well tried- They "give her time;" for her soul must slip II. She trembles her fan in a sweetness dumb, But her silence says what she never will swear- III. Go, lady! lean to the night-guitar, IV. Unless you can think, when the song is done, No other is soft in the rhythm; Unless you can feel, when left by One, That all men beside go with him; Unless you can know, when unpraised by his breath, That your beauty itself wants proving; Unless you can swear— "For life, for death!" Oh, fear to call it loving! V. Unless you can muse in a crowd all day, 11* A MAN'S REQUIREMENTS. I. LOVE me, sweet, with all thou art, Love me in the lightest part, Love me in full being. II. Love me with thine open youth With its silence tender. III. Love me with thine azure eyes, Can Heaven's truth be wanting? IV. Love me with their lids, that fall Love me with thine heart, that all V. Love me with thine hand stretched out Freely-open-minded: Love me with thy loitering foot,- VI. Love me with thy voice, that turns Love me with thy blush that burns VII. Love me with thy thinking soul— VIII. Love me in thy gorgeous airs, When the world has crowned thee! Love me, kneeling at thy prayers, IX. Love me pure, as musers do, Up the woodlands shady: Love me gaily, fast, and true, As a winsome lady. X. Through all hopes that keep us brave, Further off or nigher, Love me for the house and grave,— And for something higher. XI. Thus, if thou wilt prove me, dear, I will love thee-half-a-year— |