To the New Women

Free to look at fact,
Free to come and go,
Free to think and act.
Now you surely know
The wrongs of womanhead
At last are fairly dead.

Abler than man to vex,
Less able to be good,
Fiercer in your sex.
Wilder in your mood,

Seeking — who knows what?
About the world you grope:
Some of you have thought
Man may be your hope.

Soon again you'll see,
Love and love alone,
As simple as can be,
Can make this life atone.

Be bold and yet be bold.
But be not overbold.
Although the knell be toll'd
Of the tyranny of old.

And meet your splendid doom.
On heaven-scaling wings,
Women, from whose bright womb
The radiant future springs!