Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). An American Anthology, 1787–1900. 1900.

By ErnestMcGaffey

1438 I Fear No Power a Woman Wields

I FEAR no power a woman wields

While I can have the woods and fields,

With comradeship alone of gun,

Gray marsh-wastes and the burning sun.

For aye the heart’s most poignant pain

Will wear away ’neath hail and rain,

And rush of winds through branches bare

With something still to do and dare,

The lonely watch beside the shore,

The wild-fowl’s cry, the sweep of oar,

And paths of virgin sky to scan

Untrod, and so uncursed by man.

Gramercy, for thy haunting face,

Thy charm of voice and lissome grace,

I fear no power a woman wields

While I can have the woods and fields.