Poetry Archives

I

A heroine must shrink and cling
  When heroes are about,
And thus the watching world will think:
  “How brave his heart and stout!”
But if he chance to be away
  When bright-faced dangers shine,
It will be best for her to play
  The oak-tree, not the vine.
In fact the most important thing
Is knowing when it’s time to cling.

II

With apologies to R.L.S.

A heroine must be polite
And do what others say is right,
And think men wise and formidable—
At least as far as she is able.