Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). An American Anthology, 1787–1900. 1900.
By Elaine GoodaleEastman1525 A Countrywoman of Mine
H
Delightful, intellectual, aquiline.
Her fair hair crowns it to an artist’s mind.
Determine half her charm, and bear me out.
Mill, Spencer, Darwin, on her favorite shelf.
Well born, of course, and (not of course) well bred.
Her world is small enough, yet not too small.
That humorous, tender, half-sarcastic smile.
She does some simple things, and does them well.
To praise as they deserve I hardly dare!
Delights in each, and yet depends on none.
How to say clever things, and when to stop.
Forgets what she has on; and so do you?
Does what she likes; knows what she does is right.
She ’s but to please herself the world to please.