With its appointed period of decay

When ripe to purpose! 'Still, these dead and done,

"'Survives the woman-nature—the soft sway

Of undefinable omnipotence

O'er our strong male-stuff, we of Adam's clay.'

"Ay, if my physics taught not why and whence

The attraction! Am I like the simple steer

Who, from his pasture lured inside the fence,

"Where yoke and goad await him, holds that mere

Kindliness prompts extension of the hand