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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
STOLEN OR STRAYED, by WALT MASON Poet's Biography
First Line: What has become of the maidens fair
Last Line: Toast is burned and the steak is charred, and tears are glimmering on my cheek.
Subject(s): Death; Grief; Dead, The; Sorrow; Sadness
First Line: What has become of the maidens fair
Last Line: Toast is burned and the steak is charred, and tears are glimmering on my cheek.
Subject(s): Death; Grief; Dead, The; Sorrow; Sadness
WHAT has become of the maidens fair, who pleased the eyes of the old-time
swells, who made the dresses they used to wear, and looked as smooth as the
modern belles? They made their gowns and they made their hose, they made their
hats with a right good will; they made their quilts and such things as those,
they sewed and darned with the darnedest skill. They made good bread and they
made good pies, they made good jam and they made good tarts; their doughnuts
gladdened our weary eyes, and put new vim in our jaded hearts. They took blue
ribbons at county fairs, for fragrant butter in golden rolls; a noble pride in
their skill was theirs—but now they're vanished, God rest their souls.
They're past and gone to the brighter spheres, and no successors they left
below; about one time in a hundred years you'll see a girl who can cook and sew.
I like eggs soft and I get them hard, I like tea strong and I get it weak, the
toast is burned and the steak is charred, and tears are glimmering on my cheek.
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