Poems (Henderson)/Her Ideal

HER IDEAL.

Darling, if thou truly love me,
Bring me neither gems nor gold,
Bring to me a noble manhood,
Heart of true heroic mold.

Darling, if thou would'st enthrall me,
With Love's potent spell,
Bring to me a loyal heart,
A hand that doeth thy duty well.

Thou must wear with knightly honor,
Man's crowning glory on thy heart,
Virtue's jewel purely shining,
Truth and courage taking part.

I would will 'twere not beneath thee,
To uplift with thy strong arm,
A fallen one, thy strength protecting,
Her from her own path of harm.

I would thou might'st stoop to utter,
Words of comfort to the weak,
Passing not the little faces,
In the dirt of crowded streets.

Thou must school thy soul to suffer,
Pain, if need be for thy good,
In thyself, thyself controlling,
Hero true in heart and blood.

I would not that I should lift thee,
Step by step to stand by me,
But that on thy strength relying,
I might climb to worship thee.

I would darling, that thou woo me,
Not with flattery's look or tone,
Only bend that I may see thee,
In Love's perfect light alone.