I do not think I ever opened a book in my life which had not something to say upon womans inconstancy. Songs and proverbs all talk of womans fickleness. But perhaps you will say these were all written by men.Perhaps I shall. Yes yes if you please no reference to examples in books. Men have had every advantage of us in telling their own story. Education has been theirs in so much higher a degree the pen has been in their hands. I will not allow books to prove anything.

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.