IN the forgotten time ere mankind grew Out of its strife with beasts and birds of prey, When the quick women were the first who knew What possible danger scented them each day, Were they not also first to understand The burden and unhappiness of choice, And, with alert evasion, subtly planned To leave it to men's heavier minds? their voice Proclaimed us masters, governors, and lords, And kept alone the passive right to blame If things went wryly: thus with flattering words They freed themselves—being still so much the same That you (fie, Sweet!) renew their old pretence Of my command and your obedience. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE FRIEND OF HUMANITY AND THE KNIFE-GRINDER by GEORGE CANNING MARIA WENTWORTH by THOMAS CAREW THE INVITATION (TO TOM HUGHES) by CHARLES KINGSLEY CLEVER TOM CLINCH GOING TO BE HANGED by JONATHAN SWIFT THE TREE by BJORNSTJERNE MARTINIUS BJORNSON SONNET REVERSED by RUPERT BROOKE |