A Woman's Question

Do you know you have asked for the costliest thing
Ever made by the Hand above?
A woman's heart, and a woman's life-
And a woman's wonderful love.

Do you know you have asked for this priceless thing
As a child might ask for a toy?
Demanding what others have died to win,
With the reckless dash of a boy.

You have written my lesson of duty out,
Manlike, you have questioned me.
Now stand at the bars of my woman's soul
Until l shall question thee.
You require your mutton shall always be hot'
Your socks and your shirt be whole;
l require your heart to be as God's stars
And as pure as His heaven your soul.

You require a cook for your mutton and beef,
l require a far greater thing,
A seamstress you're wanting for socks and shirts-
l look for a man and a king.

A king for the beautiful realm called Home'
A man that His maker God,
Shall look upon as He did on the first
And say "It is very good."

l am fair and young, but the rose may fade
From this soft young cheek one day;
Will you love me then 'mid the falling leaves,
As you did 'mong the blossoms of May?

Is your heart an ocean so strong and true,
l may launch my all on its tide?
A loving woman finds heaven or hell
On the day she is made a bride.

l require all things that are grand and true,
All things that a man should be;
If you give this all, l would stake my life
To be all you demand of me.

If you cannot be this, a laundress and cook
You can hire and little pay to pay;
But a woman's heart and a woman's life
Are not to be won that way.

By Lena Lathrop