"A Women's Question"

When I was in my first year of college a young couple who loved me very much gave me this poem.  I kept it in my Bible until I was married.  Young ladies, this poem speaks for itself.

A Women's Question
by Lena Lathrop


Do you know you have asked for the costliest thing ever made by the Hand above?
A woman's heart, and a woman's life--and a woman's wonderful love.


Do you know you have asked for this priceless thing, as a child might ask for a toy?
Demanding what others have died to win, with the reckless dash of a boy?


You have written your lesson of duty out, manlike, you have questioned me.
Now stand at the bars of my woman's soul, until I shall have questioned thee.


You require your mutton shall always be hot, your socks and your shirt be whole.
I require your heart be as true as God's stars, and pure as his heaven your soul.


You require a cook for your mutton and beef, I require a far greater thing;
A seamstress you're wanting for socks and shirts, I require a man and a king.


A king for that beautiful realm called home, and a man that his Maker, God,
Shall look upon as He did on the first, and day, it is very good.


I am fair and young, but the rose may fade, from this soft young cheek one day;
Will you love me then 'mid the falling leaves, as you did 'mid the blossoms of May?


Is your heart an ocean so strong and true, I may launch my all on its tide?
A loving woman finds heaven or hell on the day she is made a bride.


I require all things that are grand and true, all things that a man should be;
If you give this all, I would stake my life to be all you demand of me.


If you cannot be this, a laundress and cook you can hire and little to pay
But a woman's heart and a woman's life are not to be won that way.