She is wedded to convictions--in default of grosser ties; Her contentions are her children, Heaven help him who denies!-- He will meet no suave discussion, but the instant, white-hot, wild, Wakened female of the species warring as for spouse and child. Unprovoked and awful charges--even so the she-bear fights, Speech that drips, corrodes, and poisons--even so the cobra bites, Scientific vivisection of one nerve till it is raw And the victim writhes in anguish--like the Jesuit with the squaw! So it comes that Man the coward, when he gathers to confer With his fellow-braves in council, dare not leave a place for her Where, at war with Life and Conscience, he uplifts his erring hands To some God of Abstract Justice--which no woman understands. And Man knows it! Knows, moreover, that the Woman that God gave him Must command but may not govern--shall enthral but not enslave him. And _She_ knows, because She warns him and Her instincts never fail, That the Female of Her Species is more deadly than the Male. EPITAPHS 'EQUALITY OF SACRIFICE' _A._ 'I was a "have."' _B._ 'I was a "have-not."' (_Together_) 'What hast thou given which I gave not?' A SERVANT We were together since the War began He was my servant--and the better man. A SON My son was killed while laughing at some jest. I would I knew What it was, and it might serve me in a time when jests are few. AN ONLY SON I have slain none except my Mother, She (Blessing her slayer) died of grief for me. EX-CLERK Pity not! The Army gave Freedom to a timid slave: In which Freedom did he find Strength of body, will, and mind: By which strength he came to prove Mirth, Companionship, and Love: For which Love to Death he went: In which Death he lies content. THE WONDER Body and Spirit I surrendered whole To harsh Instructors--and received a soul ... If mortal man could change me through and through From all I was--what may The God not do? HINDU SEPOY IN FRANCE This man in his own country prayed we know not to what Powers. We pray Them to reward him for his bravery in ours. THE COWARD I could not look on Death, which being known, Men led me to him, blindfold and alone. SHOCK My name, my speech, my self I had forgot. My wife and children came--I knew them not. I died. My Mother followed. At her call And on her bosom I remembered all. A GRAVE NEAR CAIRO Gods of the Nile, should this stout fellow here Get out--get out! He knows not shame nor fear. PELICANS IN THE WILDERNESS (A GRAVE NEAR HALFA) The blown sand heaps on me, that none may learn Where I am laid for whom my children grieve.... O wings that beat at dawning, ye return Out of the desert to your young at eve! THE FAVOUR