THE ROSE OF THE RING. 305
"You wouldn t thought then, as she whimpering stood,
That her life was a happy one, dear; Each spangle a-quiverin over her breast
Seemed to me but a pitiful tear.
" That s the way, Nelly dear, that the Rose of the
Ring Earns her bread. Would you change if you
could?" By the rough farmer s side, with her head on his
breast, Little Nelly, his girlish wife, stood.
"Oh, John ! I believe you see into my heart, For you know without speaking my thought ;
And then you re so patient and tender and good ! Never scolding me well, as you ought.
"I was thinking, dear, how dull home would seem;
How I hated my old gray delaine, And the milk-pail, and dishes, and ironing-board ;
But, John, I won t do so again.
"A heart such as yours, John, a temper so kind,
Are far better than jewels to me ; And the spangles ashine on the glittering skirt
Only tear-drops henceforth I shall see." 26* U
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