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 '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. There's an advantage in ruin," 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,     Isn't equal to that. You ain't ruined," said she.     WESTBOURNE PARK VILLAS, 1866,