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Ada Cambridge - Lord Nevil`s Advice
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"Friend," quoth Lord Nevil, "thou art young 
    To face the world, and thou art blind 
    To subtle ways of womankind; 
The meshes thou wilt fall among. 

"Take an old married man`s advice; 
    Use the experience I have earned; 
    Watch well where women are concerned,— 
They`re not all birds of paradise! 

"Be circumspect, or thou mayst fall; 
    Abjure a blind faith—nay, trust none— 
    Till thou hast chosen, proven one; 
Then trust her truly—trust in all. 
"Keep a calm brain and quiet eye, 
    And watch. The doll of powder and paint, 
    The flirt, the artificial saint, 
The loud man-woman pass them by. 

"The innocent one, who craves thy cares 
    To shield her from life`s fret and fray; 
    Lad, watch her—maybe she`ll betray 
Some doubtful knowledge, unawares. 

"The pensive one, who droops and sighs— 
    Wait till her dreaming comes to test; 
    Be gentle, yet be wary, lest 
`Tis but a graceful grey disguise. 

"The world-wise husband-hunter—she 
    Who knows no love but love of gold, 
    And lands and titles—empty, cold,— 
Pity her, lad, and let her be. 
"And the rich heiress—let her pass. 
    Belike she`s stupid, drugged with wealth, 
    And just enjoys her life and health 
As some fat cow in clover grass. 

"Or insolent with prosperity, 
    Unsharpened, shallow, unrefined;— 
    And thou art poor, and thou wilt mind 
That proud blood cometh down to thee. 

"The gushing gossip—she who rains 
    Incessant chatter in thine ears;— 
    She may be worth thy keenest fears, 
She may be simply lacking brains, 

"And lacking grace and modesty. 
    She will make mischief, at the best; 
    She may be wily, like the rest; 
Keep thy tongue still when she is by. 
"They that would master thee, if they could, 
    In brain and muscle—flaring lights— 
    The clamorous for false woman`s rights;— 
Snub them, my friend—it does them good— 

"And do not think of them for wives. 
    Fit mates for such seem somewhat rare; 
    But when two odd ones make a pair, 
They spoil at least four precious lives. 

"But shouldst thou chance to meet a girl 
    With brave, bright eyes, that front thee straight, 
    A kindly tongue that does not prate, 
And quiet lips that cannot curl; 

"With fine sense, quick to understand, 
    With dignity that is not cold, 
    Sweet, sunny mirth that is not bold, 
A ready ear, a willing hand; 
"One skilled in household arts, and skilled 
    In little courteous, graceful ways, 
    That make no show and win no praise— 
Wherewith discordant jars are stilled: 

"One who will never touch a sore; 
    One who sheds sunshine round about, 
    And draws life`s hidden comfort out; 
One whom the boys and babes adore: 

"One with an intellect to reach 
    The highest range that thou canst rise; 
    Who will aye help thee, woman-wise, 
And yet not set herself to teach: 

"One of whom women love to speak, 
    In honest kindness, and whose name 
    Men let alone; whose chiefest fame 
Lies hidden where men may not seek;— 
"Friend, woo her, as a good knight can, 
    And win her. Lay thou at her feet 
    Faith, love, and honour, true and sweet; 
And count thyself a happy man."
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