<h2><SPAN name="page142"></SPAN><span class="pagenum"></span>WISHES FOR A LITTLE GIRL</h2>
<p class="poetry">What would I ask the kindly fates to give<br/>
To crown her life, if I could have my way?<br/>
My strongest wishes would be negative,<br/>
If they would but obey.</p>
<p class="poetry">Give her not greatness. For great souls
must stand<br/>
Alone and lonely in this little world:<br/>
Cleft rocks that show the great Creator’s hand,<br/>
Thither by earthquakes hurled.</p>
<p class="poetry">Give her not genius. Spare her the cruel
pain<br/>
Of finding her whole life a prey for daws;<br/>
Of hearing with quickened sense and burning brain<br/>
The world’s sneer-tinged applause.</p>
<p class="poetry">Give her not perfect beauty’s
gifts. For then<br/>
Her truthful mirror would infuse her mind<br/>
With love for self, and for the praise of men,<br/>
That lowers woman-kind.</p>
<p class="poetry"><SPAN name="page143"></SPAN><span class="pagenum">p.
143</span>But make her fair and comely to the sight,<br/>
Give her more heart than brain, more love than
pride.<br/>
Let her be tender-thoughted, cheerful, bright,<br/>
Some strong man’s star and guide.</p>
<p class="poetry">Not vainly questioning why she was sent<br/>
Into this restless world of toil and strife,<br/>
Let her go bravely on her way, content<br/>
To make the best of life.</p>
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