OH, dwarfed and wronged, and stained with ill, Behold! thou art a woman still! And, by that sacred name and dear, I bid thy better self appear. Still, through thy foul disguise, I see The rudimental purity, That, spite of change and loss, makes good Thy birthright-claim of womanhood; An inward loathing, deep, intense; A shame that is half innocence. Cast off the grave-clothes of thy sin! Rise from the dust thou liest in, As Mary rose at Jesus' word, Redeemed and white before the Lord! Reclaim thy lost soul! In His name Rise up, and break thy bonds of shame. Art weak? He's strong. Art fearful? Hear The world's O'ercomer; "Be of cheer! What lip shall judge when he approves? Who dare to scorn the child He loves? | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...AGAINST HOPE by ABRAHAM COWLEY DOUGLAS, DOUGLAS, TENDER AND TRUE by DINAH MARIA MULOCK CRAIK CINQUAIN: SUSANNA AND THE ELDERS by ADELAIDE CRAPSEY WRITTEN IN KEATS' 'ENDYMION' by THOMAS HOOD SONNET: 15. TO THE LORD GENERAL FAIRFAX by JOHN MILTON TO THE FOUR COURTS, PLEASE by JAMES STEPHENS JOHN CHARLES FREMONT by JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER ODES: BOOK 2: ODE 4. TO THE HON. CHARLES TOWNSHEND, IN THE COUNTRY by MARK AKENSIDE |