Every reader of Wordsworth will recollect, if he does not know by heart, the poem entitled “The Happy Warrior.” It has been quoted often as an epitome of every manly, soldierly, and elevated quality. I have heard it applied to the Duke of Wellington. Those who make the experiment of merely substituting the word _woman_ for the word _warrior_, and changing the feminine for the masculine pronoun, will find that it reads equally well; that almost from beginning to end it is literally as applicable to the one sex as to the other. As thus:—
Who is the happy _woman_? Who is _she_ That every _woman_ born should wish to be? It is the generous spirit, who, when brought Among the tasks of real life, had wrought Upon the plan that pleased _her_ childish thought; Whose high endeavours are an inward light, That make the path before _her_ always bright: Who, with a natural instinct to discern What knowledge can perform, is diligent to learn; Abides by this resolve, and stops not there, But makes _her_ moral being _her_ prime care; Who, doomed to go in company with Pain, And Fear, and Sorrow, miserable train! Turns _that_ necessity to glorious gain; In face of these doth exercise a power Which is our human nature’s highest dower: Controls them and subdues, transmutes, bereaves Of their bad influence, and their good receives; By objects, which might force the soul to abate _Her_ feeling, rendered more compassionate; Is placable—because occasions rise So often that demand such sacrifice; More skilful in self-knowledge, even more pure As tempted more; more able to endure, As more exposed to suffering and distress; Thence, also, more alive to tenderness. ’Tis _she_ whose law is reason; who depends Upon that law as on the best of friends; Whence in a state where men are tempted still To evil for a guard against worse ill, And what in quality or act is best, Doth seldom on a right foundation rest, _She_ fixes good on good alone, and owes To virtue every triumph that _she_ knows. Who, if _she_ rise to station of command, Rises by open means; and there will stand On honourable terms, or else retire.
Who comprehends _her_ trust, and to the same Keeps faithful with a singleness of aim; And therefore does not stoop, nor lie in wait For wealth, or honours, or for worldly state; Whom they must follow; on whose head must fall Like showers of manna, if they come at all: Whose powers shed round _her_ in the common strife Or mild concerns of ordinary life, A constant influence, a peculiar grace; But who, if _she_ be called upon to face Some awful moment to which Heaven has joined Great issue, good or bad for human kind, Is happy as a lover; and attired With sudden brightness, like to one inspired; And, through the heat of conflict, keeps the law In calmness made, and sees what _she_ foresaw; Or if an unexpected call succeed, Come when it will, is equal to the need!