The Spinner

As I calmly sat and span,

Toiling with all zeal,
Lo! a young and handsome man

Pass’d my spinning-wheel.

And he praised,—what harm was there?—

Sweet the things he said—
Praised my flax-resembling hair,

And the even thread.

He with this was not content,

But must needs do more;
And in twain the thread was rent,

Though ’twas safe before.

And the flax’s stonelike weight

Needed to be told;
But no longer was its state

Valued as of old.

When I took it to the weaver,

Something felt I start,
And more quickly, as with fever,

Throbb’d my trembling heart.

Then I bear the thread at length

Through the heat, to bleach;
But, alas, I scarce have strength

To the pool to reach.

What I in my little room

Span so fine and slight,—
As was likely. I presume—

Came at last to light.

1800.* ——- BEFORE A COURT OF JUSTICE.

The father’s name ye ne’er shall be told

Of my darling unborn life;
“Shame, shame,” ye cry, “on the strumpet bold!”

Yet I’m an honest wife.

To whom I’m wedded, ye ne’er shall be told,

Yet he’s both loving and fair;
He wears on his neck a chain of gold,

And a hat of straw doth he wear.

If scorn ’tis vain to seek to repel,

On me let the scorn be thrown.
I know him well, and he knows me well,

And to God, too, all is known.

Sir Parson and Sir Bailiff, again,

I pray you, leave me in peace!
My child it is, my child ’twill remain,

So let your questionings cease!

1815.* ——- THE PAGE AND THE MILLER’S DAUGHTER.