THE rights of women - what are they ?
The right to labor, love and pray ;
The right to weep with those that weep,
The right to wake when others sleep.

The right to dry the falling tear,
The right to quell the rising fear ;
The right to smooth the brow of care,
And whisper comfort in despair.

The right to watch the parting breath,
To soothe and cheer the bed of death ;
The right, when earthly hopes all fail,
To point to that within the veil.

The right the wanderer to reclaim,
And win the lost from paths of shame ;
The right to comfort and to bless
The widow and the fatherless.

The right the little ones to guide,
In simple faith, to Him who died ;
With earnest love and gentle praise,
To bless and cheer their youthful days.

The right the intellect to train,
And guide the mind to noble aim ;
Teach it to rise above earth's toys,
And fix the heart on Heavenly joys.

The right to live for Him you love,
The right to die that love to prove ;
The right to brighten earthly homes
With pleasant smiles and gentle tones.

Are these thy rights? - then use them well ;
The holy influence none can tell ;
If these be thine - Why ask for more ?
Thou hast enough to answer for !

Are these thy rights? Then murmur not
That woman's mission is thy lot ;
Improve the talents God hath given ;
Earth's duties done—thy rest in Heaven !

______________

I COUNT not his the happiest life,
To whom the fates are kind ;
Who wins, but wins without the strife
That tests the noble mind.