| |
| NOT as all other women are | |
| Is she that to my soul is dear; | |
| Her glorious fancies come from far, | |
| Beneath the silver evening-star, | |
| And yet her heart is ever near. | 5 |
| |
| Great feelings hath she of her own, | |
| Which lesser souls may never know; | |
| God giveth them to her alone, | |
| And sweet they are as any tone | |
| Wherewith the wind may choose to blow. | 10 |
| |
| Yet in herself she dwelleth not, | |
| Although no home were half so fair; | |
| No simplest duty is forgot; | |
| Life hath no dim and lowly spot | |
| That doth not in her sunshine share. | 15 |
| |
| She doeth little kindnesses, | |
| Which most leave undone, or despise; | |
| For naught that sets one heart at ease, | |
| And giveth happiness or peace, | |
| Is low-esteemed in her eyes. | 20 |
| |
| She hath no scorn of common things; | |
| And, though she seem of other birth, | |
| Round us her heart entwines and clings, | |
| And patiently she folds her wings | |
| To tread the humble paths of earth. | 25 |
| |
| Her glorious fancies come from far, | |
| And deeds of week-day holiness | |
| Fall from her noiseless as the snow; | |
| Nor hath she ever chanced to know | |
| That aught were easier than to bless. | 30 |
| |
| She is most fair, and thereunto | |
| Her life doth rightly harmonize; | |
| Feeling or thought that was not true | |
| Ne’er made less beautiful the blue | |
| Unclouded heaven of her eyes. | 35 |
| |
| She is a woman—one in whom | |
| The spring-time of her childish years | |
| Hath never lost its fresh perfume, | |
| Though knowing well that life hath room | |
| For many blights and many tears. | 40 |
| |
| I love her with a love as still | |
| As a broad river’s peaceful might, | |
| Which, by high tower and lowly mill, | |
| Goes wandering at its own will, | |
| And yet doth ever flow aright. | 45 |
| |
| And, on its full, deep breast serene, | |
| Like quiet isles my duties lie; | |
| It flows around them and between, | |
| And makes them fresh and fair and green— | |
| Sweet homes wherein to live and die. | 50 |
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