Page:The cry for justice - an anthology of the literature of social protest. - (IA cryforjusticea00sinc).pdf/325

 The Old Suffragist

(See page 256)

She could have loved—her woman-passions beat Deeper than theirs, or else she had not known How to have dropped her heart beneath their feet A living stepping-stone:

The little hands—did they not clutch her heart? The guarding arms—was she not very tired? Was it an easy thing to walk apart, Unresting, undesired?

She gave away her crown of woman-praise, Her gentleness and silent girlhood grace To be a merriment for idle days, Scorn for the market-place:

She strove for an unvisioned, far-off good, For one far hope she knew she should not see: These—not her daughters—crowned with motherhood And love and beauty—free.