A Woman's Choice.
31
By her subtlety and learning, and the potence of her charm,
By her voice like strains of music, falling on the ear like balm.
Back, oh radiant Cleopatra, into time's dull Lethe, back,
All that's fairest, all that's finest, in thy affluence, thou dost lack.
Now before me regal, royal, meet two women, face to face,
One with haughty brow and bearing, pallid one, but full of grace.
One who cherished England's glory, but with jealous, cruel spleen,
One who conquered by her beauty and her majesty of mien:—
Conquered most by crown of martyr: nobler heroine, I trow,
Must thou find, oh wizard, ere I place my laurels on her brow.
"What dost crave," replied the wizard, "have not I brought forth to thee,
Royal pomp and pomp of learning, women wise and fair to see?"'
By her voice like strains of music, falling on the ear like balm.
Back, oh radiant Cleopatra, into time's dull Lethe, back,
All that's fairest, all that's finest, in thy affluence, thou dost lack.
Now before me regal, royal, meet two women, face to face,
One with haughty brow and bearing, pallid one, but full of grace.
One who cherished England's glory, but with jealous, cruel spleen,
One who conquered by her beauty and her majesty of mien:—
Conquered most by crown of martyr: nobler heroine, I trow,
Must thou find, oh wizard, ere I place my laurels on her brow.
"What dost crave," replied the wizard, "have not I brought forth to thee,
Royal pomp and pomp of learning, women wise and fair to see?"'
