Poems (Barrett)/To George Sand.—A Recognition
TO GEORGE SAND.
A RECOGNITION.
True genius, but true woman! dost deny Thy woman's nature with a manly scorn, And break away the gauds and armlets worn By weaker women in captivity? Ah, vain denial! that revolted cry Is sobbed in by a woman's voice forlorn:—Thy woman's hair, my sister, all unshorn, Floats back dishevelled strength in agony, Disproving thy man's name. And while before The world thou burnest in a poet-fire, We see thy woman-heart beat evermore Through the large flame. Beat purer, heart, and higher, Till God unsex thee on the spirit-shore; To which alone unsexing, purely aspire.