the women's voice
...d the sleeping spirit wake To brave the danger, and to bear the harm— A low and gentle voice—dear woman's chiefest charm. An excellent thing it is, and ever lent To truth and love, and meekness; they who own This gift, by the all-gracious Giver sent, Ever by quiet step and smile are known; By kind eyes that have wept, hearts that have sorrowed— By patience never tired, from their own trials borrowed. An excellent thing it is, when first in gladness A mother looks into her infant's eyes, Smiles to its smiles, and saddens to its sadness, Pales at its paleness, sorrows at its cries; Its food and sleep, and smiles and little joys— All these come ever blent with one low gentle voice. An excellent thing it is when life is leaving, Leaving with gloom and gladness, joys and cares, The strong heart failing, and the high soul grieving ...