Alfred H. Miles, ed. Women Poets of the Nineteenth Century. 1907.
By Sonnets. XI.XII. The Lost Light (George Eliot)Emily Pfeiffer (18411890)
But from afar have looked upon thy face,
Which, calm with conquest, carried still the trace
Of many a hard-fought battle that had been.
Since thou hast done with life, its toil and teen,
Its pains and gains, and that no further grace
Can come to us of thee, a poorer place
Shows the lorn world,—a dimlier lighted scene.
Who late upon the height of glory stood,
Guarding from scorn—the ægis in thy hand—
The banner of insurgent womanhood;
Who of our cause may take the high command?
Who make with shining front our victory good?
The greater teacher, having wandered wide
In lonely strength of purity and pride
Through pathless sands, unfruitful as the sea.
Now warning words—and one clear act of thee,
Bold pioneer who shouldst have been our guide—
Affirm the track which Wisdom must abide;—
For man is bond, the beast alone is free.
Thy way to higher law, that by thy grave
We thanking thee for lavish gifts, for none
May owe thee more than that in quest so brave—
True to a light our onward feet must shun—
Thou gavest nobler strength our strength to save.