Perfect Woman

    When first she gleam‘d upon my sight；

    A lovely apparition， sent

    To be a moment‘s ornament；

    Her eyes as stars of twilight fair；

    Like twilight‘s， too， her dusky hair；

    But all things else about her drawn

    From May-time and the cheerful dawn；

    A dancing shape， an image gay，

    To haunt， to startle， and waylay.

    I saw her upon nearer view，

    A Spirit， yet a Woman too！

    Her household motions light and free，

    And steps of virgin liberty；

    A countenance in which did meet

    Sweet records， promises as sweet；

    A creature not too bright or good

    For human nature‘s daily food；

    For transient sorrows， simple wiles，

    Praise， blame， love， kisses， tears， and smiles.

    And now I see with eye serene

    The very pulse of the machine；

    A being breathing thoughtful breath，

    A traveller between life and death；

    The reason firm， the temperate will，

    Endurance， foresight， strength， and skill；

    A perfect Woman， nobly plann‘d，

    To warn， to comfort， and command；

    And yet a Spirit still， and bright

    With something of angelic light.