Classic Poem

Women I value as they serve
Us men with all their qualities:
The kindly eye, the winsome curve,
And voice attune for melodies,
O, high we hold the worth of these!
But this is the best a man can say
Of factory girls or fine ladies:
Good women give themselves away.

So have our comforts much increased,
Despite the neuter maids who cling
To fad or fancy, book or priest,
Perversely 'gainst their fashioning:
Lord, in the end 'tis a sickly thing,
Still order it for us I pray
That mainly without reckoning
Good women give themselves away.

Let sing who will in praise of her
By some unique ambition led,
Queen at college or theatre,
Or classed in a convent with the dead!
I honor the girls who choose instead
The ancient duties, day by day,
As wives and mothers and makers of bread:
Good women give themselves away.

Little I care what they be doing,
What creed they follow or disobey,
If evermore for our renewing
Good women give themselves away.