| Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). An American Anthology, 1787–1900. 1900. |
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| 849. The Spinner |
| | | By Mary Ainge De Vere (“Madeline Bridges”) |
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| THE SPINNER twisted her slender thread | |
| As she sat and spun: | |
| “The earth and the heavens are mine,” she said, | |
| “And the moon and sun; | |
| Into my web the sunlight goes, | 5 |
| And the breath of May, | |
| And the crimson life of the new-blown rose | |
| That was born to-day.” | |
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| The spinner sang in the hush of noon | |
| And her song was low: | 10 |
| “Ah, morning, you pass away too soon, | |
| You are swift to go. | |
| My heart o’erflows like a brimming cup | |
| With its hopes and fears. | |
| Love, come and drink the sweetness up | 15 |
| Ere it turn to tears.” | |
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| The spinner looked at the falling sun: | |
| “Is it time to rest? | |
| My hands are weary,—my work is done, | |
| I have wrought my best; | 20 |
| I have spun and woven with patient eyes | |
| And with fingers fleet. | |
| Lo! where the toil of a lifetime lies | |
| In a winding-sheet!” | |
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