Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, A WOMAN'S ANSWER, by PHOEBE CARY


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

A WOMAN'S ANSWER, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Love thee?' thou canst not ask of me
Last Line: "I'll ""love, and honor, and obey."
Subject(s): Marriage; Weddings; Husbands; Wives


"LOVE thee?" Thou canst not ask of me
So freely as I fain would give;
'T is woman's great necessity
To love so long as she shall live;
Therefore, if thou dost lovely prove,
I cannot choose but give thee love!

"Honor thee?" By her reverence
The truest woman best is known;
She needs must honor where she finds
A nature loftier than her own;
I shall not turn from thee away,
Unless I find my idol clay!

"Obey?" Doth not the stronger will
The weaker govern and restrain?
Most sweet obedience woman yields
Where wisdom, power, manhood reign.
I'll give thee, if thou canst control,
The meek submission of my soul!

Henceforward all my life shall be
Moulded and fashioned by thine own;
If wisdom, power, and constancy
In all thy words and deeds are shown;
Whether my vow be yea or nay,
I'll "love, and honor, and obey."





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