The Eyes of Little Charlotte

Now God has made a wistful world,
 * And a woman strangely coy:

Her eyes say come, and go, and come,
 * And stay, and be a boy.

Oh, the eyes of little Charlotte say
 * "Come, kiss me if you can!"

But in a trice they change, and cry
 * "Go out and be a man."

Oh, the eyes of little Charlotte say
 * You shall not flinch at pain;

You shall not sigh for the cool cities,
 * Or moan for the soft rain.

The wind shall bite you, throat and cheek;
 * The sun will leave its tan;

But the eyes of little Charlotte say,
 * "Go out and be a man."

And you shall speak as a man speaks
 * Not mealy-mouthed or mild,

But you must go with a girl's love
 * For every lisping child;

Nor shall you live in the far clouds
 * As only dreamers can:

For the eyes of little Charlotte say,
 * "Go out and be a man."

And you shall fight as a man fights
 * And fare as a man may;

And you shall see as giants see
 * And hear what giants say:

You shall not bide in a safe place
 * Near by a lady's fan—

For the eyes of little Charlotte say
 * "Go out and be a man."

And your reward,—the old reward
 * That is for all who dare,

The long love of a warm woman
 * And kisses, proud and fair.

Oh, you shall toil for Love—the Law
 * Since ever Love began—

For the eyes of little Charlotte say
 * "Go out and be a man."