The Modern Woman to Her Lover

I shall not lie to you any more,
    Flatter or fawn to attain my end—
I am what never has been before,
    Woman—and Friend.

I shall be strong as a man is strong,
    I shall be fair as a man is fair,
Hand in locked hand we shall pass along
    To a purer air:

I shall not drag at your bridle-rein,
    Knee pressed to knee shall we ride the hill;
I shall not lie to you ever again—
    Will you love me still?

This poem is in the public domain.