The Foreign Land

A WOMAN is a foreign land,

Of which, though there he settle young

A man will ne'er quite understand

The customs, politics, and tongue.

The foolish hie them post-haste through

See fashions odd, and prospects fair,

Learn of the language, 'How d'ye do,'

And go and brag they have been there.

The most for leave to trade apply,

For once, at Empire's seat, her heart,

Then get what knowledge ear and eye

Glean chancewise in the life-long mart.

And certain others, few and fit,

Attach them to the court, and see

The Country's best, its accent hit,

And partly sound its policy.

Coventry Patmore