1866 

                                THE RUINED MAID

                                by Thomas Hardy








şiElectronically Enhanced Text (c) Copyright 1996, World Library(R)
DAK Upgraded Edition, Copyright 2000, DAK Industries 2000, Inc(R)şI

{RUINED_MAID
                     THE RUINED MAID
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      '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.
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      -'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.
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      -'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!'-
      'A polish is gained with one's ruin,' said she.
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      -'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.
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      -'You used to call home-life a hag-ridden dream,
                                                                  {^line 20}
      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.
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      -'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.
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      Westbourne Park Villas, 1866
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                               THE END