  decorative WHEN in Bohemia there were kings and queens, The crown was laid upon the head that had To bear and to exalt it—on the King's, And then upon the shoulder of the Queen. The shoulder bears the weight, the head the burden; The shoulder lifts, the head must carry. Great For both the heaviness, the endless pain, Unending work, the sorrow of their people, The care of each and all, the scorching tears Of all, that make their path a desert, and Their robe so heavy, as if dew had changed Into the icy hangings of the frost. The shoulder oftentimes is wounded by The crown, the head bowed low, the heart so heavy, Much heavier than all that heavy weight, And yet doth woman's frail and bending shoulder Resist the load, and still her smiling eyes And gentle lips make all the world believe Her shoulder bleedeth not, her toil is easy, The load they put upon her without asking How great her strength, is like a toy. Oh, smile! Ye heavy-laden Queens! Let not a sigh Escape your loving hearts, and no complaint Oh, smile! The world doth not forgive its slaves For looking overworked. If thou canst bear No more, then change the shoulder, tired Queen! |
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