A Woman's Reliquary [by Edward Dowden] |
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| LXXXVIII. | LXXXVIII THE STONE-BREAKER |
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 | A Woman's Reliquary |  |
51
LXXXVIII
THE STONE-BREAKER
On life's roadside I sit and break
Poor learning's stones for pay;
Nor is the trade too bad, I make
My half-a-crown a day.
Poor learning's stones for pay;
Nor is the trade too bad, I make
My half-a-crown a day.
My good hour comes; 'tis past the noon,
And sure as sure can be
With kerchief'd head and kilted gown
The mistress steps toward me;
And sure as sure can be
With kerchief'd head and kilted gown
The mistress steps toward me;
Not slim perhaps as once she was,
Yet still some girlish grace,
Not with light footing of the lass
But just as brave a face;
Yet still some girlish grace,
Not with light footing of the lass
But just as brave a face;
She bears the can, she bears the mug,
The bulging handkerchief;
Beneath the hedge is shelter snug,
O hour of my relief!
The bulging handkerchief;
Beneath the hedge is shelter snug,
O hour of my relief!
And sure such bread is angels' food,
Such cheese heaven's honey-dew;
Kind are the eyes as when I wooed,
The heart as stout and true.
Such cheese heaven's honey-dew;
Kind are the eyes as when I wooed,
The heart as stout and true.
52
So when she goes my hammer plies
Livelier on learning's stones,
Till home I trudge to meet her eyes,
Maybe with aching bones.
Livelier on learning's stones,
Till home I trudge to meet her eyes,
Maybe with aching bones.
| A Woman's Reliquary | |