The Soul selects her own Society--
Then--shuts the Door--
To her divine Majority--
Present no more--

Unmoved--she notes the Chariots--pausing
At her low Gate--
Unmoved --an Emperor be kneeling
Upon her Mat--

I've known her--from an ample nation--
Choose One--
Then--close the Valves of her attention--
Like Stone--

c. 1862 [1890]

Questions to consider about the poem.

See Related Poems.

Study text prepared by Ann Woodlief and Marcel Cornis-Pope of Virginia Commonwealth University. For permission to use, please e-mail Dr. Woodlief at awood@vcu.edu.