Page:The Writings of John Green Whittier (v.1).pdf/280
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NARRATIVE AND LEGENDARY POEMS.
"Beside her, from the summer heat
To share her grateful screening,
With forehead bared, the farmer stood,
Upon his pitchfork leaning.
To share her grateful screening,
With forehead bared, the farmer stood,
Upon his pitchfork leaning.
"Framed in its damp, dark locks, his face
Had nothing mean or common,—
Strong, manly, true, the tenderness
And pride beloved of woman.
Had nothing mean or common,—
Strong, manly, true, the tenderness
And pride beloved of woman.
"She looked up, glowing with the health
The country air had brought her,
And, laughing, said: 'You lack a wife,
Your mother lacks a daughter.
The country air had brought her,
And, laughing, said: 'You lack a wife,
Your mother lacks a daughter.
"'To mend your frock and bake your bread
You do not need a lady:
Be sure among these brown old homes
Is some one waiting ready,—
You do not need a lady:
Be sure among these brown old homes
Is some one waiting ready,—
"'Some fair, sweet girl with skilful hand
And cheerful heart for treasure,
Who never played with ivory keys,
Or danced the polka's measure.'
And cheerful heart for treasure,
Who never played with ivory keys,
Or danced the polka's measure.'
"He bent his black brows to a frown,
He set his white teeth tightly.
''T is well,' he said, 'for one like you
To choose for me so lightly.
He set his white teeth tightly.
''T is well,' he said, 'for one like you
To choose for me so lightly.
"'You think, because my life is rude
I take no note of sweetness:
I tell you love has naught to do
With meetness or unmeetness.
I take no note of sweetness:
I tell you love has naught to do
With meetness or unmeetness.