'Twas in the fair Aspasia's bower,

That Love and Learning, many an hour,

In dalliance met; and Learning smiled

With pleasure on the playful child,

Who often stole, to find a nest

Within the folds of Learning's vest.

  There, as the listening statesman hung

In transport on Aspasia's tongue,

The destinies of Athens took

Their color from Aspasia's look.

Oh happy time, when laws of state

When all that ruled the country's fate,

Its glory, quiet, or alarms,

Was planned between two snow-white arms!

  Blest times! they could not always last—

And yet, even now, they are not past,

Though we have lost the giant mould.

In which their men were cast of old,

Woman, dear woman, still the same,

While beauty breathes through soul or frame,

While man possesses heart or eyes,

Woman's bright empire never dies!

  No, Fanny, love, they ne'er shall say,

That beauty's charm hath past away;

Give but the universe a soul

Attuned to woman's soft control,

And Fanny hath the charm, the skill,

To wield a universe at will.