She Walks in Beauty: A Woman's Journey Through Poems by Caroline Kennedy Read Free Book Online Page A

to fail.
    To whom soon moved with touch of blame thus Eve.
    What words have passed thy lips, Adam severe,
    Imput’st thou that to my default, or will
    Of wand’ring, as thou call’st it, which who knows
    But might as ill have happened thou being by,
    Or to thyself perhaps: hadst thou been there,
    Or here th’ attempt, thou couldst not have discerned
    Fraud in the serpent, speaking as he spake;
    No ground of enmity between us known,
    Why he should mean me ill, or seek to harm.
    Was I to have never parted from thy side?
    As good have grown there still a lifeless rib.
    Being as I am, why didst not thou the head
    Command me absolutely not to go,
    Going into such danger as thou saidst?
    Too facile then thou didst not much gainsay,
    Nay, didst permit, approve, and fair dismiss.
    Hadst thou been firm and fixed in thy dissent,
    Neither had I transgressed, nor thou with me.
    To whom then first incensed Adam replied.
    Is this the love, is this the recompense
    Of mine to thee, ingrateful Eve, expressed
    Immutable when thou wert lost, not I,
    Who might have lived and joyed immortal bliss,
    Yet willingly chose rather death with thee:
    And am I now upbraided, as the cause
    Of thy transgressing? not enough severe,
    It seems, in thy restraint: what could I more?
    I warned thee, I admonished thee, foretold
    The danger, and the lurking Enemy
    That lay in wait; beyond this had been force,
    And force upon free will hath here no place.
    But confidence then bore thee on, secure
    Either to meet no danger, or to find
    Matter of glorious trial, and perhaps
    I also erred in overmuch admiring
    What seemed in thee so perfect, that I thought
    No evil durst attempt thee, but I rue
    That error now, which is become my crime,
    And thou th’ accuser. Thus it shall befall
    Him who to worth in women overtrusting
    Lets her will rule; restraint she will not brook,
    And left to herself, if evil thence ensue,
    She first his weak indulgence will accuse.
    Thus they in mutual accusation spent
    The fruitless hours, but neither self-condemning,
    And of their vain contést appeared no end.

The Good Wife
    PROVERBS 31:10–31
    Who can find a virtuous woman?
    For her price is far above rubies.
    The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her,
    So that he shall have no need of spoil.
    She will do him good and not evil
    All the days of her life.
    She seeketh wool and flax,
    And worketh willingly with her hands.
    She is like the merchants’ ships;
    She bringeth her food from afar.
    She riseth also while it is yet night,
    And giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
    She considereth a field, and buyeth it:
    With the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
    She girdeth her loins with strength,
    And strengtheneth her arms.
    She perceiveth that her merchandise is good:
    Her candle goeth not out by night.
    She layeth her hands to the spindle,
    And her hands hold the distaff.
    She stretcheth out her hand to the poor;
    Yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
    She is not afraid of the snow for her household:
    For all her household are clothed with scarlet.
    She maketh herself coverings of tapestry;
    Her clothing is silk and purple.
    Her husband is known in the gates,
    When he sitteth among the elders of the land.
    She maketh fine linen, and selleth it;
    And delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
    Strength and honor are her clothing;
    And she shall rejoice in time to come.
    She openeth her mouth with wisdom;
    And in her tongue is the law of kindness.
    She looketh well to the ways of her household,
    And eateth not the bread of idleness.
    Her children arise up, and call her blessed;
    Her husband also, and he praiseth her:
    â€œMany daughters have done virtuously,
    But thou excellest them all.”
    Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain:
    But a woman that feareth the Lord,
    She shall be praised.
    Give her of the fruit of her hands;
    and let her own works praise her in the gates.

My Last Duchess
    ROBERT