NOT TO BE WON THAT WAY.

Te Aroha News, Volume I, Issue 53, 7 June 1884, Page 7

NOT TO BE WON THAT WAY.

Do you know you have asked for the costliest thing Ever made by the hand above — A woman's heart and a woman's life And a woman's wonderful love? Do you know you have asked for this priceless thing As a child might have asked for a toy — Demanding what others have died to win With the reckless dash of a boy ? You have written my lessons of duty out, Manlike you have questioned me ; Now stan I at the bar of my woman's soul Until i naye questioned thee. You require your dinner should always bo hot, Your socks and shirts should be whole ; I require your heaifc to be true as God's stars, Aiid pure as Heaven your soul. You require a cook for your mutton and beef, I require a far better thing ; A seamstress you're wanting for stockings and shirts — I want a man and a king. A king for the beautiful realm called home, And a man that the Maker, (ioi, Shall look upon as He did the iirst And say " It's very good." I am fair and young, but the rose will fade From my soft cheek one day ; Will you love me then, 'mid the falling leaves, As you did 'mid the bloom of May ? Is your heart an ocean so strong and deep I may launch my all on its tide? A loving woman linds heaven or hell On the day she is made a bride. I require all things that are good and true, All things that a man should be ; If you give LhU all, I would stake my life To bo all you demand of me. If you cannot do this — a laundress and cook You can hire with little to pay ; But a woman's heart and a woman's life Are not to be won that way.

— Mrs Browning.