As my letter must be brief, I'll at once state my belief, And this it is — that, since the world began, And Adam first did say, "'Twas Eve led me astray," A woman hath more patience than a man. If a man's obliged to wait For some one who's rather late, No mortal ever got in such a stew, And if something can't be found That he's sure should be around, The listening air sometimes grows fairly blue. Just watch a man who tries To soothe a baby's cries; Or put a stove pipe up in weather cold, Into what a state he'll get; How he'll fuss and fume and fret And stamp and bluster round and storm and scold! Some point to Job with pride, As an argument for their side! Why, it was so rare a patient man to see, That when one was really found, His discoverers were bound To preserve for him a place in history! And while I admit it's true That man has some patience too, And that woman isn't always sweetly calm, Still I think all must agree On this central fact — that she For central all-round patience bears the palm.
Composition date is unknown - the above date represents the first publication date.
The lyrical form of this poem is aabccb.
