She Walketh Veiled And Sleeping *

She walketh veiled and sleeping, For she knoweth not her power; She obeyeth but the pleading Of her heart, and the high leading Of her soul, unto this hour. Slow advancing, halting, creeping, Comes the Woman to the hour!-- She walketh veiled and sleeping, For she knoweth not her power.

COMING f

Because the time is ripe, the age is ready, Because the world her woman’s help demands, Out of the long subjection and seclusion Come to our field of warfare and confusion The mother’s heart and hands.

Long has she stood aside, endured and waited, While man swung forward, toiling on alone; Now, for the weary man, so long ill-mated, Now, for the world for which she was created, Comes woman to her own.

Not for herself! though sweet the air of freedom; Not for herself, though dear the new-born power; But for the child, who needs a nobler mother, For the whole people, needing one another, Comes woman to her hour.

LOCKED INSIDE f

She beats upon her bolted door, With faint weak hands; Drearily walks the narrow floor; Sullenly sits, blank walls before; Despairing stands.

Life calls her, Duty, Pleasure, Gain-- Her dreams respond; But the blank daylights wax and wane, Dull peace, sharp agony, slow pain-- No hope beyond.

Till she comes a thought! She lifts her head, The world grows wide! A voice--as if clear words were said-- “Your door, O long imprisonéd, Is locked inside!”

NOW f

With God Above--Beneath--Beside-- Without--Within--and Everywhere; Rising with the resistless tide Of life, and Sure of Getting There.

Patient with Nature’s long delay, Proud of our conscious upward swing; Not sorry for a single day, And Not Afraid of Anything!

With Motherhood at last awake-- With Power to Do and Light to See-- Women may now begin to Make The People we are Meant to Be!