Excerpts from The Happy Warrior

This is who I want to be...some days I feel like I am, but some days I feel so far from this... ( I made the pronouns feminine)

Whose high endeavours are an inward light
That makes 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;

By objects, which might force the soul to abate
Her feeling, rendered more compassionate;

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.

A constant influence, a peculiar grace;
But who, if she be called upon to face
Some awful moment to which Heaven has joined
Great issues, good or bad for human kind,
Is happy as a Lover; and attired
With sudden brightness, like a woman inspired;
And, through the heat of conflict, keeps the law
In calmness made, and sees what she foresaw;

Finds comfort in herself and in her cause;
And, while the mortal mist is gathering, draws
Her breath in confidence of Heaven's applause:
This is the happy Warrior; this is She
That every Woman in arms should wish to be.