Aubrey Thomas de Vere (1814–1902)

THE REASON why we love thee, dost thou ask?

We love for many reasons joined in one:—

Because thy face is fair to look upon;

Because, when pains or toils our hearts o’ertask,

In sunny smiles of thine they love to bask;

Because thou honorest all, and harmest none;

Because thy froward moods so soon are gone;

Thy many faults and foibles wear no mask;

Because thou art a woman. Unto me

A gracious woman is a child mature;

Docile, and gentle, though with many a lure

Enriched, and, in a soft subjection, free;

A sanguine creature, full of winning ways;

Athirst for love, and shyly pleased with praise.