9. THEN HER FATHER ANSWERED STERNLY.

Her father's face grew dark and stern,

Lifted he his voice in anger,

“You shall at once this beggar spurn;

Seek a richer man, my daughter.”

Then her father answered sternly,

Spake against her heart's selection,

Saying with a show of anger,

“Choose a richer man, my daughter,

Never shall you wed this fellow,

Born to toil and lowly labor.

Let him find a slave his equal

Here among the village wenches.

Seek a richer man, my daughter

From the suitors that surround you,

One who has ancestral acres,

Meeting all the needs of living

Meeting all the needs of leisure,

Filling life with joy and pleasure,

While his servants do his bidding.

Live, my daughter, like a princess,

Free from weary care and worry,

Stooping not to lowly labor,

Never shall you wed this fellow!”

Rising slowly, Molly answered,

Answered slowly, speaking calmly,

Though her heart was torn with sorrow,

“Listen, father, to your daughter,

Speaking of her heart's affection-

Him alone of all the suitors

Holds my love and admiration,

Him alone I wish to marry.

May I have your blessing, father?”

Bitter was her father's answer,

Cutting her like winds of winter,

“Seek a richer man, my daughter,

Never shall you wed this beggar!”