  O radiant maiden! thou art so fair, With thy azure eyes and thy golden hair; The bloom of the lily and rose on thy face, Thy sunny smile and thy exquisite grace, The joyous light of thy innocent eyes, Deep wells of the soul and clear as the skies; And pure as the snow the sheen on thy brow— O mayst thou e’er be as stainless as now. Thy voice is as soft as the summer wind, Thrilling, pathetic, a music divine; And wonderful is thy power to-day, And thy influence and thy gentle sway. The world does homage to-day at thy feet, A captive at will to slavery sweet. Man battles amain the vast wide world o’er; He delves in the mines for their precious store; For the gems of the sea, searches far and wide, Through the rage of the storm and the rushing tide. Aye, in every clime, and in every zone, He struggles with might for thee and home; Fearlessly leading where the foremost files Charge to the battery’s flash and thunder— A hero for thee, to the world a wonder. With the battle o’er, the victory won, And hope beaming brightly to cheer him on; With riches and honors and fame replete, He seeks but to lay them down at thy feet, E’er trusting and honoring thee, his pride, Asking only the bliss to be at thy side. There are to-day many wandering feet, Reckless, despairing, and ruined complete; Driven from the light of thy witching eyes, They are drifting away ’neath sunless skies. Oh, nineteenth century maiden, fair! With thy azure eyes and thy golden hair, Of thy subtle power beware, beware! Drive not unheeding to ruin, despair, Hearts that are noble, unselfish, and true, That would all things dare, even death, for you. Let all thy ways be e’er kindly and good; Thus crowning thy pure gentle womanhood With graciousness, love, and truth most wise, Guiding men e’er safely toward the skies. |
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