A WOMAN'S SHORTCOMINGS. I. SIE has laughed as softly as if she sighed, She has counted six, and over, Of a purse well filled, and a heart well tried Oh, each a worthy lover! 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 else go with him; Unless you can know, when upraised 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, With the breadth of heaven betwixt you; A MAN'S REQUIREMENTS. I. LOVE me, Sweet, with all thou art, 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, Hearing one behind it. VI. Love me with thy voice, that turns Love me with thy blush that burns VII. Love me with thy thinking soul, Love me with thy thoughts that roll On through living-dying. VIII. Love me in thy gorgeous airs, When the world has crowned thee; Love me, kneeling at thy prayers, With the angels round thee. IX. Love me pure, as musers do, 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 As a man is able. |