Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE RUINED MAID, by THOMAS HARDY Poem Explanation Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: O 'melia, my dear, this does everything crown! Last Line: Cannot quite expect that. You ain't ruined,' said she. Subject(s): Irony; Prostitution; Harlots; Whores; Brothels | ||||||||
'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 "theas 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. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...LOVING YOU IN FLEMISH by LAURE-ANNE BOSSELAAR A MAN AND WOMAN ABSOLUTELY WHITE by ANDRE BRETON AFTER THREE PHOTOGRAPHS OF BRASSAI by NORMAN DUBIE THE VIOLENT SPACE by ETHERIDGE KNIGHT AN OLD WHOREHOUSE by MARY OLIVER CHICAGO CABARET by KENNETH REXROTH FOR A MASSEUSE AND PROSTITUTE by KENNETH REXROTH HARRISON STREET COURT by CARL SANDBURG AND THERE WAS A GREAT CALM' by THOMAS HARDY |
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