A Woman's Thought

I am a woman--therefore I may not Call to him, cry to him, Fly to him, Bid him delay not! Then when he comes to me, I must sit quiet: Still as a stone-- All silent and cold. If my heart riot-- Crush and defy it! Should I grow bold, Say one dear thing to him, All my life fling to him, Cling to him-- What to atone Is enough for my sinning! This were the cost to me, This were my winning-- That he were lost to me. Not as a lover At last if he part from me, Tearing my heart from me, Hurt beyond cure,-- Calm and demure Then must I hold me, In myself fold me, Lest he discover; Showing no sign to him By look of mine to him What he has been to me-- How my heart turns to him, Follows him, yearns to him, Prays him to love me. Pity me, lean to me, Thou God above me!