Jane Caroline Reed's Copy Book: Remonstrance by Jean Ingelow

 

Jane Caroline Reed

Remonstrance

"Daughters of Eve your mother did not well;

She laid the apple in your father's hand,

And we have read, O wonder what befell--

The man was not deceived, not yet could stand;

He chose to lose, for love of her, his throne

For her could die but could not live alone.

Daughters of Eve he did not fall so low

Nor fall so far, as that sweet woman fell;

For something better than as gods to know,

That husband in that home left off to dwell;

For this, till love be reckoned less then lore,

Shall man be first + best forevermore.

Daughters of Eve, it was for your dear sake

The world's first hero died an uncrowned king;

But God's great pity touched the grand mistake,

And made his married love a sacred thing;

For yet his nobler sons, if aught be true,

Find their lost Eden in their love to you."

    Jean Ingelow