“Warriors and statesmen have their meed of praise, And what they do or suffer men record! But the long sacrifice of woman’s days Passes without a thought—without a word; And many a holy struggle for the sake Of duties sternly, faithfully fulfilled— For which the anxious mind must watch and wake, And the strong feelings of the heart be stilled— Goes by unheeded as the summer’s wind, And leaves no memory and no trace behind! Yet it may be, more lofty courage swells In one meek heart which braves an adverse fate, Than his, whose ardent soul indignant swells, Warmed by the fight, or cheered through high debate! The soldier dies surrounded; could he live _Alone_ to suffer, and _alone_ to strive? “Answer, ye graves, whose suicidal gloom Shows deeper horror than a common tomb! Who sleep within? the _men_ who would evade An unseen lot of which they felt _afraid_,— Embarrassment of means which worked annoy— A past remorse—a future blank of joy— The sinful rashness of a blind despair— These were the strokes which sent your victims there. “In many a village churchyard’s simple grave, Where all unmarked the cypress branches wave; In many a vault where death could only claim The brief inscription of a woman’s name; Of different ranks and different degrees, From daily labour to a life of ease, (From the rich wife who through the weary day Wept in her jewels, grief’s unceasing prey, To the poor soul who trudged o’er marsh and moor; And with her baby begged from door to door,) Lie hearts, which ere they found the least release Had lost all memory of the blessing ‘peace;’ Hearts, whose long struggle through unpitied years None saw but He who marks the mourner’s tears; The obscurely noble! Who evaded not The woe which He had willed should be their lot, But nerved themselves to bear.” Yes man is often conquered by his calamities, but woman conquers her trials and troubles. The former cannot bear a tithe of what the latter endures without manifesting a hundred times as much impatience. Woman suffers, and suffers well. There are more heroines than heroes in the world. _CAUTION._