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HER IDEAL.
I would will 'twere not beneath thee, To uplift with thy strong arm,A fallen one, thy strength protecting, Her from her own path of harm.
I would thou might'st stoop to utter, Words of comfort to the weak,Passing not the little faces, In the dirt of crowded streets.
Thou must school thy soul to suffer, Pain, if need be for thy good,In thyself, thyself controlling, Hero true in heart and blood.
I would not that I should lift thee, Step by step to stand by me,But that on thy strength relying, I might climb to worship thee.
I would darling, that thou woo me, Not with flattery's look or tone,Only bend that I may see thee, In Love's perfect light alone.
