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A WOMAN'S REQUIREMENTS.

AFTER MRS. BROWNING.

LOVE me with thy fullest soul

In thy pride's surrender;

Love me with thy heart and arm,

Husband and defender.

Love me with thy dreamy eyes

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Peering in the morrow;

Love me in the flood of joy

And the flood of sorrow.

Love me in thy daily path,

Love me in thy roaming;

Love me in the morning dew,

Love me at the gloaming.

Love me in thy kindling brain,

Giving and receiving;

Love me in thy daily prayer,

Hoping and believing.

Love me in the master-stroke,

Shaping and creating;

Love me in thy hope deferred,

Passionate, yet waiting.

Love me in thine ecstasies,

Heaven and earth transcending;

Love me in thy laurel crowns,

Like a king descending.

Love me still in thy distrust,

In that hour of sadness,

When the world is bitterness,

Truth and justice madness.

Love me with the purity

Of an angel's fire;

Reckless then, and humanly

Burning with desire.

Thus if you will prove your love,

I'll accept your proffer,

City house and settlement

Should no better offer,

z.

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