@3The bravest, manliest man is he Who braves the brede, who breaks the sod, Who sows a seed, who plants a tree, Who turns and tears the barren clod, In partnership with God is he -- Himself a very part of God, Aye, God's anointed, God's high priest. And he who sees, who knows to see As saw the eager seers of old, Is of the "wise men of the East," Is richer than all Araby In incense, myrrh and gifts of gold. The noblest woman, bravest, best Of all brave souls beneath the sun? I say the queenliest is that one -- Seek north or south or east or west -- Who loves to fold the little frock And hear the cradle rock and rock. I say the purest woman, best Beneath our forty stars, is she Who loves her spouse most ardently And rocks the cradle oftenest -- Who rocks and sings and rocks, and then, When birds are nesting, rocks again.@1 | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...POSSUM SONG (A WARNING) by JAMES WELDON JOHNSON THE LAMP OF LIFE by AMY LOWELL SUMTER by HENRY HOWARD BROWNELL COMFORT by ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING THE BRIDGE: PROEM. TO BROOKLYN BRIDGE by HAROLD HART CRANE VASHTI by FRANCES ELLEN WATKINS HARPER |