On The Sexes Poem by Thomas Odiorne

Lo! when the sexes we comprise,
And mark the divers traits that rise,
How much more delicate we find,
Woman than man, in frame and mind!
Appropriate signs, and features fair,
In manners, looks, and voice, declare,
Throughout the kindred species we behold,
The male and female of a different mould.
Each one exists but half the kind,
By Nature, fashion'd to be join'd;
Yet, though dissimilar in frame,
Their senses, passions, wishes are the same.
Each leans to each by sympathy's control,
And mutual kindness mingles soul with soul.
Desire to please, on either side,
To character exists a moral guide;
So thus, preserving decency and grace,
Excites, improves, and dignifies our race.
But there's a charm in Woman's ways,
Deserving of peculiar praise.
When man is in distress,
She has the blissful power to bless;

Her look alone can give relief;
Her seraph smile can solace grief;
Nay, she can rule him as she will,
Though he remain the master still;
But governs (if she govern right)
By gentle means, but not by might.
So each controls, while each obeys,
But, most of all, her kindness sways.
He, by her softness, milder grows;
She, radiate by his manlier brows,
New dignity displays;
Thus each on each elicits rays;
While the sweet spirit that refines,
Assimilates their manners and their minds.
O! what a happy state abides,
Where sympathies agree, and reason guides!
Where converse shows the moral sense refin'd,
And looks bespeak a loveliness of mind!
And, thanks to Heaven! the magnet in the breast,
That draws together sexes to be blest,
Attracting, is attracted to the tone,
Suited and most congenial to its own!