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 bar of my womans’ soul

   Until I shall question thee.

You require your mutton shall always be hot,

   Your socks and your shirt shall be whole;

I require your heart shall be true as God's stars,

   As pure as heaven your soul.

You require a cook for your mutton and beef;

   I require a far better thing;

A seamstress you're wanting for stockings and shirts-­

   I look for a man and a king.

A king for a beautiful realm called Home,

   And a man that the maker, God,

Shall look upon as He did the first,

   And say "It is very good."

I am fair and young, but the roses will fade

   From my soft young cheek one day;

Will you love me, then, 'mid the falling leaves.

   As you did 'mid the bloom of May?

Is your heart an ocean so wide and deep

   I may launch my all on its tide?

A loving woman finds heaven or hell

   On the day she is made a bride.

I require all things that are grand and true,

   All things that a man should be;

If you would give this all, I would stake my life

   To be all you demand of me.

If you cannot do this, a laundress and cook

   You hire with little pay;

But a woman's heart and a woman's life

   Are not to be won that way.

                                  Elizabeth Barrett Browning.