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: \