Poems (Commelin)/To Mrs. E. T. Brockway
TO MRS. E. T. BROCKWAY,
PRESIDENT OF THE BROOKLYN WOMAN'S CLUB.
April, month of smiles and tears,Bright with hope or dark with fears,Bring but fairest skies to-day,Chase thy clouds and gloom away,Thou, oh Muse, inspire my lay!Womanhood to Woman bringsThanks and loyal offerings.
For our guest who served us longBring the tribute of a song!She who filled our honored place,Added to it beauty, grace,Crowns our board with her fair face.Honor to the gifts she lent,Honor to our President!
Strew her path to-day with flowers,Fading signs for fadeless hours: She who long for us hath soughtWoman's weal with woman's thought,Work with noblest meaning fraught,—She is here our guest to-day,Strew her path with flowers gay!Honor to the gifts she lent,Honor to our President!
(Read at the luncheon tendered to Mrs. Brockway, on her retirement from office, April, 1886.)