Explore "Womanhood" by Ella Wheeler Wilcox on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
She must be honest, both in thought and deed, / Of generous impulse, and above all greed; / Not seeking praise, or place, or power, or pelf, / But life's best blessings for her higher self, / Which means the best for all. / She must have faith, / To make good friends of Trouble, Pain, and Death, / And understand their message. / She should be / As redolent with tender sympathy / As is a rose with fragrance.
Cheerfulness / Should be her mantle, even though her dress / May be of Sorrow's weaving. / On her face / A loyal nature leaves its seal of grace, / And chastity is in her atmosphere. / Not that chill chastity which seems austere / (Like untrod snow-peaks, lovely to behold / Till once attained-then barren, loveless, cold); / But the white flame that feeds upon the soul / And lights the pathway to a peaceful goal. / A sense of humour, and a touch of mirth, / To brighten up the shadowy spots of earth; / And pride that passes evil-choosing good. / All these unite in perfect womanhood.