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Thomas Hardy - The Ruined Maid
Work rating: Medium

"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.
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