Two Sat Down

Two sat down in the morning time,          One to sing and one to spin.     All men listened the song sublime -          But no one listened the dull wheel's din.     The singer sat in a pleasant nook,          And sang of a life that was fair and sweet,     While the spinner sat with a steadfast look,          Busily plying her hands and feet.     The singer sang on with a rose in her hair,          And all men listened her dulcet tone;     And the spinner spun on with a dull despair          Down in her heart as she sat alone.     But lo! on the morrow no one said          Aught of the singer or what she sang.     Men were saying:    "Behold this thread,"          And loud the praise of the spinner rang.     The world has forgotten the singer's name -          Her rose is faded, her songs are old;     But far o'er the ocean the spinner's fame          Yet is blazoned in lines of gold.