An Excellent Thing in Woman
By SAMUEL YELLEN
To women silence gives their proper grace. — SOPHOCLES
Silence in woman is like speech in man. — BEN JONSON
THESE wise men and others
Have issued their fiat:
The business of woman
Is to keep quiet.
Have issued their fiat:
The business of woman
Is to keep quiet.
The ideal woman
Sits there gawking,
While her lord
Goes right on talking.
Sits there gawking,
While her lord
Goes right on talking.
Her voice should be soft,
Gentle, and low;
Softer than
Pianissimo.
Gentle, and low;
Softer than
Pianissimo.
The master bids her
Hold her tongue
Until his aria
Has been sung.
Hold her tongue
Until his aria
Has been sung.
If she is wise
Her mouth is shut,
While he tells her
What is what.
Her mouth is shut,
While he tells her
What is what.
Her duty simply
To adore,
While the sahib
Holds the floor.
To adore,
While the sahib
Holds the floor.
