Our Idea of Nothing at All

(“I am opposed to woman suffrage, but I am not opposed to woman.”—Anti-suffrage speech of Mr. Webb of North Carolina.)

O women, have you heard the news
       Of charity and grace?
Look, look how joy and gratitude
       Are beaming in my face!
For Mr. Webb is not opposed
       To woman in her place!

O Mr. Webb, how kind you are
       To let us live at all,
To let us light the kitchen range
       And tidy up the hall;
To tolerate the female sex
       In spite of Adam’s fall.

O girls, suppose that Mr. Webb
       Should alter his decree!
Suppose he were opposed to us—
       Opposed to you and me.
What would be left for us to do—
       Except to cease to be?

Credit

This poem is in the public domain.