'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...LOHENGRIN; PROEM by EMMA LAZARUS WHEN I'M KILLED by ROBERT RANKE GRAVES |