Classic Poem

To brave each danger, bear each toil,
Traverse the seas, subdue the soil;
To seek the praise that learning yields,
Or glory win in martial fields;
Was man first form'd of hardy mold,
Patient of toil, in danger bold:
Yet man, of all these pow'rs possest,
Remain'd unblessing, and unblest;
Till woman made, an helpmate meet,
His happiness became complete.
'Tis his to climb Fame's rugged way,
His trophies at her feet to lay;
'Tis hers to soothe the mental strife,
And sweeten all the ills of life.
In man each sterner art has place,
In woman each inchanting grace.
From men protection women find,
Men grace from woman's softer mind.
Man's form'd for action and debate,
To govern and defend the state;
To shun the scenes of private rest,
And stand in public life confest.
Woman is loveliest, when retir'd,
When least obtrusive, most admir'd,
In her the accent soft and low,
And blushing face most graceful show:
Plac'd in the mild domestic sphere,
With native grace her charms appear;
Expos'd to the broad glare of day,
Each modest beauty fades away.
When woman would be learn'd or great,
She seeks what's foreign to her state:
'Tis hers to know each winning way,
And rule by seeming to obey.