A Woman's Hand

A woman's hand, in jewels dressed,
Or wearied by life's toilsome quest,^__
Though supple, dimpled, clinging, bold,
Though wrinkled, trembling, cringing, old,^__
Is ever strong and ever blessed.

Rich stores of tenderness confessed,
Sweet welcomes lingering in the breast,
Love, sympathy, and hope enfold
A woman's hand.

In toyings of the cradle-nest,
In sweetheart's shyly made behest,
In maiden's touch or mother's hold,^__
Wherever hearts must be controlled,
Earth's highest, sweetest powers invest
A woman's hand.

^__Charles Moreau Harger.