In truth, I was not born to royalty;
My power came from pleasure and my smile.
I used my supple body to beguile
A bookish, awkward prince who spoiled me
And I became “Great Lady.” Other wives
And concubines he kept conveniently
Could never breach the deep affinity
Between us, or the love that bound our lives.
He gallivanted after a new star
And wanted me to be part of the chase.
I jostled in my litter to that place,
A stable, where I witnessed the bizarre:
I saw three silk-clad kings kneel in the straw
Before an infant and young girl, in awe.
—Mary-Patrice Woehling
You have a decision to make: double or nothing.
For this week only, a generous supporter has offered to fully match all new and increased donations to First Things up to $60,000.
In other words, your gift of $50 unlocks $100 for First Things, your gift of $100 unlocks $200, and so on, up to a total of $120,000. But if you don’t give, nothing.
So what will it be, dear reader: double, or nothing?
Make your year-end gift go twice as far for First Things by giving now.
