RUE WITH A DIFFERENCE.
It is saidThat women are more curious than men;—I should not put it so: they are more frank.A woman who would like to know if thisOr that be so or so, makes no disguise,But lifts her clear eyes candidly to yoursAnd asks directly, “Is this true?” a man,More wise and quite as curious, simply statesA fact: “This is so;” knowing well indeedThat if it is not, no true woman needsA sharper challenge instantly to armHer soul with weapons to defend herself,Her country, or her friends; and so he gainsThe knowledge that he wished, and yet has shownNo idle curiosity!
It is saidThat women are more curious than men;—I should not put it so: they are more frank.A woman who would like to know if thisOr that be so or so, makes no disguise,But lifts her clear eyes candidly to yoursAnd asks directly, “Is this true?” a man,More wise and quite as curious, simply statesA fact: “This is so;” knowing well indeedThat if it is not, no true woman needsA sharper challenge instantly to armHer soul with weapons to defend herself,Her country, or her friends; and so he gainsThe knowledge that he wished, and yet has shownNo idle curiosity!
It is saidThat women are more curious than men;—I should not put it so: they are more frank.A woman who would like to know if thisOr that be so or so, makes no disguise,But lifts her clear eyes candidly to yoursAnd asks directly, “Is this true?” a man,More wise and quite as curious, simply statesA fact: “This is so;” knowing well indeedThat if it is not, no true woman needsA sharper challenge instantly to armHer soul with weapons to defend herself,Her country, or her friends; and so he gainsThe knowledge that he wished, and yet has shownNo idle curiosity!
It is said
That women are more curious than men;—
I should not put it so: they are more frank.
A woman who would like to know if this
Or that be so or so, makes no disguise,
But lifts her clear eyes candidly to yours
And asks directly, “Is this true?” a man,
More wise and quite as curious, simply states
A fact: “This is so;” knowing well indeed
That if it is not, no true woman needs
A sharper challenge instantly to arm
Her soul with weapons to defend herself,
Her country, or her friends; and so he gains
The knowledge that he wished, and yet has shown
No idle curiosity!