Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1860-05-09
A MANS WO0INGs.

I In all the world of men
Was one true lover-true alike
In deed. and word. and pen;-
One knightly lover. constant as
The old knights, who sleep sound;
Some women, said you. there might be-
Not one man faithful found:
Not one man. resolute to win,
Or winning, firm to hold
The woman. not all women-sought
Herself and not her gold:
Not one whose no1le lie and pure,
Had power so to control
To humble loving loyalty
Her free but reverent soul.
That she beside him gladly moved
Both sovereign and slave:
In faith unfettered. homage dear,
Each claiming what each gave.
And then you dropped your eyelids white,
And stood, a maiden brave,
Proud. sweet:-unloving and unlOved
Descending to the grave.
I let you speak, and ne'er replied;
watched you for space,
/ Until that passionate glow, like youth,
Had faded from your face.
No anger showed I-nor complaint:
My hearts beats shook no breath,
! Although knew that had found
Her, who brings life or death;
The woman, true as life or death;
The love, strong as these twain,
| Against which seas of mortal fate
Beat harmlessly in vain.
asNot one true man. l hear it still,
/ Your voice's clear, cold sound,
/ Upholding all your constant swains
And good knights underground.
Not one true lover" woman, turn;
love you. Words are small;
'Tis life speaks plain; In twenty years
Perhaps you may know all
l seek you. 1ou alone seek;
All other women, fair,
Or wise, or good, may go their way
Without my thought or care.
But You follow day by day.
And night by night keep
Ny hearts ehaste mansion lighted, when
Your image lies asleep.
Asleep If e'er to wake He knows
Who Eve to Adam brought,
As you to me the embodiment
OF boyhood's dear sweet thought.
And youths ford dream and manhood's hop
That still half hopeless shone
Till every roOtless vain ideal
CommingIed into one.
You; who are so diverse from me.
Yet seem as much my own
As this my soul. which formed apart
Dwells in its bodily throne
Or rather. for that perishes,
As thess our two lives are
So strangely. marvellous drawn
Together from afar;
Till week by week and month by month
We liker ssem to grow,
As two hill streams. flushed with rich rain,
Each into the other flow.
swear no oaths. tell no lies,
Nor boast I never knew
A love-dream-we all dream in youth
But waking. found you,
The real woman. whose first touch
Aroused to highest life
Nv real manhood Crown It then,
Good angel, friend, love, wife.
Imperfect as am, and you,
Perchanee, not all you seem,
We two together, garner up
Our past's bright, broken dream.
We two together dare to look
Upon the year to come,
As travellers, met in far countrie,
Together look towards home.
Come home, the old tales were not false,
Yet the new faith is true;
Those sanity souls who made men knights
Were women such as you.
For the great love that teaches love
Deceived not, ne'er deceiVeS
And she who most believes in man
Makes him what she believes.
Gonel if you come not, can wait;
Ny faith, like life, is long;
Ny will-nOt little; my hope much;
The patient are the strong.
Yet come, all comel The years run fast,
. And hearths grow swiftly cold
Hearts too: but while blood beats in mine
1t holds you and will hold.
And so before you it lies bare
Take it or let it lie,
1t was an honest heart; and yours
To all eternity.
MocmiHan's Magazine.