Who is the happy _woman_? Who is _she_ That every _woman_ born should wish to be? It is the generous spirit, who, when brought Among the tasks of real life, had wrought Upon the plan that pleased _her_ childish thought; Whose high endeavours are an inward light, That make the path before _her_ always bright: Who, with a natural instinct to discern What knowledge can perform, is diligent to learn; Abides by this resolve, and stops not there, But makes _her_ moral being _her_ prime care; Who, doomed to go in company with Pain, And Fear, and Sorrow, miserable train! Turns _that_ necessity to glorious gain; In face of these doth exercise a power Which is our human nature’s highest dower: Controls them and subdues, transmutes, bereaves Of their bad influence, and their good receives; By objects, which might force the soul to abate _Her_ feeling, rendered more compassionate; Is placable—because occasions rise So often that demand such sacrifice; More skilful in self-knowledge, even more pure As tempted more; more able to endure, As more exposed to suffering and distress; Thence, also, more alive to tenderness. ’Tis _she_ whose law is reason; who depends Upon that law as on the best of friends; Whence in a state where men are tempted still To evil for a guard against worse ill, And what in quality or act is best, Doth seldom on a right foundation rest, _She_ fixes good on good alone, and owes To virtue every triumph that _she_ knows. Who, if _she_ rise to station of command, Rises by open means; and there will stand On honourable terms, or else retire. * * * * * Who comprehends _her_ trust, and to the same Keeps faithful with a singleness of aim; And therefore does not stoop, nor lie in wait For wealth, or honours, or for worldly state; Whom they must follow; on whose head must fall Like showers of manna, if they come at all: Whose powers shed round _her_ in the common strife Or mild concerns of ordinary life, A constant influence, a peculiar grace; But who, if _she_ be called upon to face Some awful moment to which Heaven has joined Great issue, good or bad for human kind, Is happy as a lover; and attired With sudden brightness, like to one inspired; And, through the heat of conflict, keeps the law In calmness made, and sees what _she_ foresaw; Or if an unexpected call succeed, Come when it will, is equal to the need! In all these fifty-six lines there is only one line which cannot be feminised in its significance,—that which I have filled up with asterisks, and which is totally at variance with our ideal of A HAPPY WOMAN. It is the line— “And in himself possess his own desire.”