6. SWEET AND FAIR AND MOST ATTRACTIVE

By Lewis Sprague Mills

No fairer maid was ever seen

Than this lovely Molly Barber,

Who moved as graceful as a queen,

Meeting all with joyous welcome.

Golden Yellow were her tresses,

Banked in ringlets o'er her shoulders.

And her eyes the violets rivalled,

Dancing lights like diamonds shining,

Sparkling clear or laughter rippled,

Glad with joy or sad with sorrow,

Meeting each occasion bravely

As a queen without a scepter.

Pearls from ocean's deepest waters

Equalled not the shining jewels

Glowing in her lips’ enclosure.

Laughed she like the ringing silver,

As she spoke of many matters,

Shyly joking, singing, talking,

Busy spinning, weaving, sewing,

Ever happy, smiling gayly,

Quoting often from the sagas,

Ancient poems, words of wisdom,

Apt replies to Cupid's arrows.

Sweet and fair and most attractive

Was this lithe and graceful maiden

To the crowds of beaux and daughters,

Basking in the cheerful sunshine

Of her smiles so sweetly beaming.