Michael Field recognizing oppresion of women

Michael Field, the pen name for writers Katherine Bradley and Edith Cooper, published numerous plays and poems often resembling their love for one another, an act which was generally frowned upon by society. In their poem "Maids, not to you my mind doth change", we see a great sense of their love for women, as well as a desire to be liberated from the social restraints men have impressed upon them. In the first stanza, it reads "Men I defy, allure, estrange/ Prostrate, make bond or free" (Field lines 2/3). Men, and society for this matter, forbid any forms of homosexuality during this time. The two took this mentality into account when writing their poetry and sought to express views through writing. Further, to begin the second stanza, Field writes, "Soon doth a lover's patience tire,/ But ye to manifold desire" (Field lines 8/9). Here, Field is stating they are tired of disguising a forbidden love, especially a love which is so clear it exists to both of them. Lastly, Field concludes the poem with "And with your soft vitality/ My weary bosom fill" (Field lines 20/21). Field, here, is speaking of a woman's 'vitality' as soft, an often misconstrued view derived and carried out by men. However, Field embraces this, thus leading to her significant other making her feel full or complete.