 | Young Maids & Old China |  |
NEEDLEWORK.
The world, I've heard some people say,
Is duller now than in their day.
I'm sure that sewing, anyway,
Must be much duller.
Instead of hemming frocks, like me,
Of old a lady's task would be
To work some splendid tapestry
With many a colour.
Is duller now than in their day.
I'm sure that sewing, anyway,
Must be much duller.
Instead of hemming frocks, like me,
Of old a lady's task would be
To work some splendid tapestry
With many a colour.
Light moved the hands, unmarked the hours,
As on the web grew magic towers,
Broad rivers, meadows bright with flowers,
And browsing cattle;
And gallant ships of snowy sail,
High city-walls that heroes scale,
Steeds, men-at-arms, and knights in mail
On fields of battle.
As on the web grew magic towers,
Broad rivers, meadows bright with flowers,
And browsing cattle;
And gallant ships of snowy sail,
High city-walls that heroes scale,
Steeds, men-at-arms, and knights in mail
On fields of battle.
Ah, pretty maiden, sigh not so!
But little of their lot you know,
Whose lives, looked back on, seem to show
Such rainbow brightness!
No lighter then the hours flew.
Of those dead dames, ah me! how few
But lief had changed their lot with you
For your heart's brightness!
But little of their lot you know,
Whose lives, looked back on, seem to show
Such rainbow brightness!
No lighter then the hours flew.
Of those dead dames, ah me! how few
But lief had changed their lot with you
For your heart's brightness!
| Young Maids & Old China | |