THE RUINED MAID

"O 'Melia, my dear, this does everything crown! 

Who could have supposed I should meet you in Town? 

And whence such fair garments, such prosperi-ty?" — 

"O didn't you know I'd been ruined?" said she. 

— "You left us in tatters, without shoes or socks, 

Tired of digging potatoes, and spudding up docks; 

And now you've gay bracelets and bright feathers three!" — 

"Yes: that's how we dress when we're ruined," said she. 

— "At home in the barton you said thee and thou, 

And thik oon, and theäs oon, and t'othero; but now 

Your talking quite fits 'ee for high compa-ny!" — 

"Some polish is gained with one's ruin," said she. 

— "Your hands were like paws then, your face blue and bleak 

But now I'm bewitched by your delicate cheek, 

And your little gloves fit as on any la-dy!" — 

"We never do work when we're ruined," said she. 

— "You used to call home-life a hag-ridden dream, 

And you'd sigh, and you'd sock; but at present you seem 

To know not of megrims or melancho-ly!" — 

"True. One's pretty lively when ruined," said she. 

— "I wish I had feathers, a fine sweeping gown, 

And a delicate face, and could strut about Town!" — 

"My dear — a raw country girl, such as you be, 

Cannot quite expect that. You ain't ruined," said she. 

-o0o-