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m. And She knows, because She warns him, and Her instincts never fail, That the Female of Her Species is more deadly than the Male. Rudyard Kipling [1865-1936] THE WOMAN WITH THE SERPENT'S TONGUE She is not old, she is not young, The woman with the Serpent's Tongue, The haggard cheek, the hungering eye, The poisoned words that wildly fly, The famished face, the fevered hand,-- Who slights the worthiest in the land, Sneers at the just, contemns the brave, And blackens goodness in its grave. In truthful numbers be she sung, The Woman with the Serpent's Tongue; Concerning whom, Fame hints at things Told but in shrugs and whisperings: Ambitious from her natal hour, And scheming all her life for power; With little left of seemly pride; With venomed fangs she cannot hide; Who half makes love to you to-day, To-morrow gives her guest away. Burnt up within by that strange soul She cannot slake, or yet control: Malignant-lipped, unkind, unsweet; Past all example indiscreet; Hectic, and always overstrung,-- The Woman with the Serpent's Tongue. To think that such as she can mar Names that among the noblest are! That hands like hers can touch the springs That move who knows what men and things? That on her will their fates have hung!-- The Woman with the Serpent's Tongue. William Watson [1858-1935] SUPPOSE How sad if, by some strange new law, All kisses scarred! For she who is most beautiful Would be most marred. And we might be surprised to see Some lovely wife Smooth-visaged, while a seeming prude Was marked for life. Anne Reeve Aldrich [1866-1892] TOO CANDID BY HALF As Tom and his wife were discoursing one day Of their several faults in a bantering way, Said she, "Though my wit you disparage, I'm sure, my dear husband, our friends will attest This much, at the least, that my judgment is best." Quoth Tom, "So they said at our marriage." John Godfrey Saxe [1816-1887] FABLE The mountain and the squirrel Had a quarrel, And the former called the latter "Little Prig;" Bun replied, "You are doubtless very big; But all sorts of things and weather Must be taken in together, To make up a year And a sphere. And I think it no disgrace To occupy my place. If I'm not so large as you, You are not so small as I, And not half so spry. I'll not deny you make A very pretty squirrel track; Talents differ; all is well and wisely put; If I cannot carry forests
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