_"Home" says the sweet voice, and warm Comfort rises, Holding my soul with velvet-fingered hands; Comfort of leafy lair and lapping fur, Soft couches, cushions, curtains, and the stir Of easy pleasures that the body prizes, Of soft, swift feet to serve the least commands._ _I shrink--half rise--and then it murmurs "Duty!" Again the past rolls out--a scroll unfurled; Allegiance and long labor due my lord-- Allegiance in an idleness abhorred-- I am the squaw--the slave--the harem beauty-- I serve and serve, the handmaid of the world._ _My soul rebels--but hark! a new note thrilling, Deep, deep, past finding--I protest no more; The voice says "Love!" and all those ages dim Stand glorified and justified in him; I bow--I kneel--the woman soul is willing-- "Love is the law. Be still! Obey! Adore!"_ _And then--ah, then! The deep voice murmurs "Mother!" And all life answers from the primal sea; A mingling of all lullabies; a peace That asks no understanding; the release Of nature's holiest power--who seeks another? Home? Home is Mother--Mother, Home--to me._ _"Home!" says the deep voice; "Home and Easy Pleasure! Safety and Comfort, Laws of Life well kept! Love!" and my heart rose thrilling at the word; "Mother!" it nestled down and never stirred; "Duty and Peace and Love beyond all measure! Home! Safety! Comfort! Mother!"--and I slept._ II _A bugle call! A clear, keen, ringing cry, Relentless--eloquent--that found the ear Through fold on fold of slumber, sweet, profound-- A widening wave of universal sound, Piercing the heart--filling the utmost sky-- I wake--I must wake! Hear--for I must hear!_ _"The World! The World is crying! Hear its needs! Home is a part of life--I am the whole! Home is the cradle--shall a whole life stay Cradled in comfort through the working day? I too am Home--the Home of all high deeds-- The only Home to hold the human soul!_ _"Courage!--the front of conscious life!" it cried; "Courage that dares to die and dares to live! Why should you prate of safety? Is life meant In ignominious safety to be spent? Is Home best valued as a place to hide? Come out, and give what you are here to give!_ _"Strength and Endurance! of high action born!" And all that dream of Comfort shrank away, Turning its fond, beguiling face aside: So Selfishness and Luxury and Pride Stood forth revealed, till I grew fierce with scorn, And burned to meet the dangers of the day._ _"Duty? Aye, Duty! Duty! Mark the word!" I turned to my old standard. It was rent From hem to hem, and through the gaping place I saw my undone duties to the race Of man--neglected--spurned--how had I heard That word and never dreamed of what it meant!_