@3The bravest, manliest man is he Who braves the brede, who breaks the sod, Who sows a seed, who plants a tree, Who turns and tears the barren clod, In partnership with God is he -- Himself a very part of God, Aye, God's anointed, God's high priest. And he who sees, who knows to see As saw the eager seers of old, Is of the "wise men of the East," Is richer than all Araby In incense, myrrh and gifts of gold. The noblest woman, bravest, best Of all brave souls beneath the sun? I say the queenliest is that one -- Seek north or south or east or west -- Who loves to fold the little frock And hear the cradle rock and rock. I say the purest woman, best Beneath our forty stars, is she Who loves her spouse most ardently And rocks the cradle oftenest -- Who rocks and sings and rocks, and then, When birds are nesting, rocks again.@1 | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE LONESOME CHILD by KATHERINE MANSFIELD RESCUE by JEAN STARR UNTERMEYER THE PRISONER OF CHILLON: INTRODUCTORY SONNET by GEORGE GORDON BYRON A SONG [OF DIVINE LOVE] by RICHARD CRASHAW MADRIGAL: 109 by MICHELANGELO BUONARROTI HUGH SELWYN MAUBERLEY: 13. ENVOI, 1919 by EZRA POUND THE PRINCESS: SONG by ALFRED TENNYSON |