THE MILLER'S DAUGHTER. And should my future lot be cast Thy worn-out heart will break at last, My Mary! WILLIAM COWPER THE MILLER'S DAUGHTER. IT is the miller's daughter, And she is grown so dear, so dear, That I would be the jewel That trembles at her ear; For, hid in ringlets day and night, And I would be the girdle About her dainty, dainty waist, And her heart would beat against me In sorrow and in rest; And I should know if it beat right, And I would be the necklace, And all day long to fall and rise With her laughter or her sighs; ALFRED TENNYSON. 55 POOR lone Hannah, Sitting at the window, binding shoes! Faded, wrinkled, Sitting, stitching, in a mournful muse! Bright-eyed beauty once was she, When the bloom was on the tree. Spring and Winter Hannah's at the window, binding shoes. HANNAH BINDING SHOES. Not a neighbor Passing nod or answer will refuse "Is there from the fishers any news?" Night and morning Hannah's at the window, binding shoes. Fair young Hannah, Ben, the sun-burnt fisher, gayly woos; For a willing heart and hand he sues. Hannah leaves her window and her shoes. May is passing; 'Mid the apple-boughs a pigeon coos. For the mild southwester mischief brews. Outward bound, a schooner sped. Hannah's at the window, binding shoes. 'Tis November; Now no tear her wasted cheek bedews. Not a sail returning will she lose; 57 Malion, the children of whose love, Each to his grave, in youths have past, And now the mould less fresh above The dearest and the last. Pride, who dost wear the undew's vál Refores the wedding flowers are pale, He deem the human heart endors THE LIVING LOST. Whispering, hoarsely, "Fishermen, Hannah's at the window, binding shoes. Twenty Winters Bleach and tear the ragged shore she views: Never one has brought her any news. Chase the white sails o'er the sea. Hannah's at the window, binding shoes. LUCY LARCOM. THE LIVING LOST. MATRON, the children of whose love, Each to his grave, in youth have passed, And now the mould is heaped above The dearest and the last! Bride, who dost wear the widow's veil Yet there are pangs of keener woe, Of which the sufferers never speak, 59 |