AUGUST 425 



honour. During my lifetime the fact has been much 

 more recognised that the temptations and trials of 

 women are not really so very different from those of 

 men, though in our civilised life they come to them in a 

 different way and often at a different age. This fact 

 was, I believe, well understood in the old world, though 

 covered over and distorted during the Middle Ages. 

 Here are the sonnets, so rightly called the 'Three Ages 

 of Woman' : 



I. 



Love, in thy youth, a stranger knelt tothee, 



With cheeks all red and golden locks all curled, 

 And cried, ' Sweet child, if thou wilt worship me, 



Thou shalt possess the kingdoms of the world.' 

 But you looked down and said, ' I know you not, 



Nor want I other kingdom than my soul.' 

 Till Love in shame, convicted of his plot, 



Left you and turned him to some other goal. 

 And this discomfiture which you had seen 



Long served you for your homily and boast, 

 While, of your beauty and yourself the queen, 



You lived a monument of vain love crossed, 

 With scarce a thought of that which might have been 



To scare you with the ghost of pleasures lost. 



II. 

 Your youth flowed on, a river chaste and fair, 



Till thirty years were written to your name. 

 A wife, a mother, these the titles were 



Which conquered for you the world's fairest fame. 

 In all things you were wise but in this one, 



That of your wisdom you yourself did doubt. 

 Youth spent like age, no joy beneath the sun, 



Your glass of beauty vainly running out. 

 Then suddenly again, ere well you knew, 



Love looked upon you tenderly, yet sad. 

 'Are these wise follies, then, enough for you ? ' 



He said ; ' love's wisdom were itself less mad.' 

 And you : ' What wouldst thou of me?' 'My bare due, 



In token of what joys may yet be had.' 



