The Cry of the Young Women
GIVE US a little joy, O World,
We are so young and strong,
So fit for love’s sweet usages,
For laughter and for song ;
O World, our joy is in thy hand,
Withholden long and long.
We are so young and strong,
So fit for love’s sweet usages,
For laughter and for song ;
O World, our joy is in thy hand,
Withholden long and long.
Or if youth’s rapture be not thine to give,
A little rest,— or leave to cease to live!
A little rest,— or leave to cease to live!
Life called us, not desire for life,
And we obedient came;
Were blindfold set, nor knowing why,
To play Fate’s losing game
For foolish stakes, a crust of bread,
Or still retreating fame.
And we obedient came;
Were blindfold set, nor knowing why,
To play Fate’s losing game
For foolish stakes, a crust of bread,
Or still retreating fame.
Daily we play, from dawn to set of sun,
Nightly we cry, Oh that the play were done!
Nightly we cry, Oh that the play were done!
Each holds a dream within her heart
Of future or of past,
A dream of mother, lover, child,
Too poignant-sweet to last,
A mirage dim in dimming eyes,
We know,—but hold it fast.
Of future or of past,
A dream of mother, lover, child,
Too poignant-sweet to last,
A mirage dim in dimming eyes,
We know,—but hold it fast.
Let outlawed Esau take his mess and roam ;
Give us our birthright, World, — love, peace, and home!
Give us our birthright, World, — love, peace, and home!
Helen M. Bullis.