"O 'Melia, my dear, this does everything crown! <br />Who could have supposed I should meet you in Town? <br />And whence such fair garments, such prosperi-ty?"- <br />"O didn't you know I'd been ruined?" said she. <br /> <br />-"You left us in tatters, without shoes or socks, <br />Tired of digging potatoes, and spudding up docks; <br />And now you've gay bracelets and bright feathers three!"- <br />"Yes: that's how we dress when we're ruined," said she. <br /> <br />-"At home in the barton you said 'thee' and 'thou,' <br />And 'thik oon' and 'theäs oon' and 't'other'; but now <br />Your talking quite fits 'ee for high compan-ny!"- <br />"Some polish is gained with one's ruin," said she. <br /> <br />-"Your hands were like paws then, you face blue and bleak <br />But now I'm bewitched by your delicate cheek, <br />And your little gloves fit as on any la-dy!"- <br />"We never do work when we're ruined," said she. <br /> <br />-"You used to call home-life a hag-ridden dream, <br />And you'd sigh, and you'd sock; but at present you seem <br />To know not of megrims or melancho-ly!"- <br />"True. One's pretty lively when ruined," said she. <br /> <br />-"I wish I had feathers, a fine sweeping gown, <br />And a delicate face, and could strut about Town"- <br />"My dear - raw country girl, such as you be, <br /> <br />Cannot quite expect that. You ain't ruined," said she.<br /><br />Thomas Hardy<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-ruined-maid/
