TWO SAT DOWN

Two sat down in the morning time,

One to sing and one to spin.

All men listened the song sublime -

But no one listened the dull wheel's din.

The singer sat in a pleasant nook,

And sang of a life that was fair and sweet,

While the spinner sat with a steadfast look,

Busily plying her hands and feet.

The singer sang on with a rose in her hair,

And all men listened her dulcet tone;

And the spinner spun on with a dull despair

Down in her heart as she sat alone.

But lo! on the morrow no one said

Aught of the singer or what she sang.

Men were saying: “Behold this thread,”

And loud the praise of the spinner rang.

The world has forgotten the singer's name -

Her rose is faded, her songs are old;

But far o'er the ocean the spinner's fame

Yet is blazoned in lines of gold.