Care for her wretched offspring rarely swerved,
And mother-love alone the infant oft preserved.
XVI.
Thus woman’s life, in low or high estate,
Man fettered with a more than natural weight
Of sexual function,—disproportioned theme
And single basis in his female scheme;
He strove to quench her flash of quicker fire,
That crossed his lordship or his low desire;
Her one permitted end to serve his race,