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'other'; 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.

Composition Date: Westbourne Park Villas, 1866.The lyrical form of this poem is aabb.1. 'Melia: Emilia.6. digging up with a chisel-like spade.docks: weeds9.barton: farm11. 'ee: ye.13. bleak: \