I had rather hear my dog bark at a crow than a man swear he loves me.

I am not an angel I asserted and I will not be one till I die I will be myself. Mr. Rochester you must neither expect nor exact anything celestial of me - for you will not get it any more than I shall get it of you which I do not at all anticipate.

Its probably not just by chance that Im alone. It would be very hard for a man to live with me unless hes terribly strong. And if hes stronger than I Im the one who cant live with him. Im neither smart nor stupid but I dont think Im a run-of-the-mill person. Ive been in business without being a businesswoman Ive loved without being a woman made only for love. The two men Ive loved I think will remember me on earth or in heaven because men always remember a woman who caused them concern and uneasiness. Ive done my best in regard to people and to life without precepts but with a taste for justice.

A dream conceived from the inside-out eventually becomes reality. But a dream desired from the outside-in is subject to spoil and tragedy.

I told you in the course of this paper that Shakespeare had a sister but do not look for her in Sir Sidney Lees life of the poet. She died young--alas she never wrote a word. She lies buried where the omnibuses now stop opposite the Elephant and Castle. Now my belief is that this poet who never wrote a word and was buried at the crossroads still lives. She lives in you and in me and in many other women who are not here tonight for they are washing up the dishes and putting the children to bed. But she lives for great poets do not die they are continuing presences they need only the opportunity to walk among us in the flesh.