Mrs. Sarah Josepha Hale (1788–1879)

The Empire of Woman—A Series of Sonnets

WILD as a colt, o’er prairies bounding free,

The wakening spirit of the boy doth spring,

Spurning the rein Authority would fling,

And striving with his peers for mastery:

But in the household gathering let him see

His sister’s gentle smile, and it will bring

A change o’er all his nature; patiently,

As cagéd bird that never used its wing,

He turns him to the tasks that she doth share;

His better passions kindle by her side;

Visions of angel beauty haunt the air:

May she not summon such to be his guide?

Our Saviour listened to a sister’s prayer,

When “Lazarus, from the tomb come forth!” he cried.