O, SAIRLY 1 may I rue the day
I fancied first the womenkind;
For aye sinsyne I ne’er can hae
Ae quiet thought or peace o’ mind!
They hae plagued my heart an’ pleased my e’e,
An’ teased an’ flattered me at will,
But aye for a’ their witcherye,
The pawky things I lo’e them still.
O the women fo’k! O the women fo’k!...
From the Greek by William Collins
THEY ’RE always abusing the women,
As a terrible plague to men:
They say we ’re the root of all evil,
And repeat it again and again;
Of war, and quarrels, and bloodshed,
All mischief, be what it may!
And pray, then, why do you marry us,
If we ’re all the plagues you say?
And why do...
Like Men and Women Shadows walk
Upon the Hills Today —
With here and there a mighty Bow
Or trailing Courtesy
To Neighbors doubtless of their own
Not quickened to perceive
Minuter landscape as Ourselves
And Boroughs where we live —
The Leaves like Women interchange
Exclusive Confidence —
Somewhat of nods and somewhat
Portentous inference.
The Parties in both cases
Enjoining secrecy —
Inviolable compact
To notoriety.
