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Poems I've memorized for either story or sound.
Poems are the best collectibles: they are easy to store, and require no dusting.
*********************
The Ruined Maid, by Thomas Hardy
Yes, I know--I've posted this one before. But it's one of the first pieces I set to memory as an adult.
Nothing profound, but a satirical 'dramatic' piece. Hardy and Browning do wonderful first person voice--often voices of deliciously venomous characters. This one by Hardy has two voices: Melia's former friend (or sister?), and the posturing yet patient Amelia.
The Ruined Maid
by Thomas Hardy
http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/15505
"O 'Melia, my dear, this does everything crown!
Who could have supposed I should meet you in Town?
And whence such fair garments, such prosperity?"--
"O didn't you know I'd been ruined?" said she.
--"You left us in tatters, without shoes or socks,
Tired of digging potatoes, and spudding up docks;
And now you've gay bracelets and bright feathers three!"--
"Yes: that's how we dress when we're ruined," said she.
--"At home in the barton you said 'thee' and 'thou,'
And 'thik oon,' and 'theäs oon,' and 't'other'; but now
Your talking quite fits 'ee for high company!"--
"Some polish is gained with one's ruin," said she.
--"Your hands were like paws then, your face blue and bleak
But now I'm bewitched by your delicate cheek,
And your little gloves fit as on any lady!"--
"We never do work when we're ruined," said she.
--"You used to call home-life a hag-ridden dream,
And you'd sigh, and you'd sock; but at present you seem
To know not of megrims or melancho-ly!"--
"True. One's pretty lively when ruined," said she.
"--I wish I had feathers, a fine sweeping gown,
And a delicate face, and could strut about Town!"--
"My dear--a raw country girl, such as you be,
Cannot quite expect that. You ain't ruined," said she.
********************
There's a danger in dramatic pieces, of turning good poetry into one of those oratory exercises Mark Twain satirized. With a wicked one like this, it's worth the risk.
Poems are the best collectibles: they are easy to store, and require no dusting.
*********************
The Ruined Maid, by Thomas Hardy
Yes, I know--I've posted this one before. But it's one of the first pieces I set to memory as an adult.
Nothing profound, but a satirical 'dramatic' piece. Hardy and Browning do wonderful first person voice--often voices of deliciously venomous characters. This one by Hardy has two voices: Melia's former friend (or sister?), and the posturing yet patient Amelia.
The Ruined Maid
by Thomas Hardy
http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/15505
"O 'Melia, my dear, this does everything crown!
Who could have supposed I should meet you in Town?
And whence such fair garments, such prosperity?"--
"O didn't you know I'd been ruined?" said she.
--"You left us in tatters, without shoes or socks,
Tired of digging potatoes, and spudding up docks;
And now you've gay bracelets and bright feathers three!"--
"Yes: that's how we dress when we're ruined," said she.
--"At home in the barton you said 'thee' and 'thou,'
And 'thik oon,' and 'theäs oon,' and 't'other'; but now
Your talking quite fits 'ee for high company!"--
"Some polish is gained with one's ruin," said she.
--"Your hands were like paws then, your face blue and bleak
But now I'm bewitched by your delicate cheek,
And your little gloves fit as on any lady!"--
"We never do work when we're ruined," said she.
--"You used to call home-life a hag-ridden dream,
And you'd sigh, and you'd sock; but at present you seem
To know not of megrims or melancho-ly!"--
"True. One's pretty lively when ruined," said she.
"--I wish I had feathers, a fine sweeping gown,
And a delicate face, and could strut about Town!"--
"My dear--a raw country girl, such as you be,
Cannot quite expect that. You ain't ruined," said she.
********************
There's a danger in dramatic pieces, of turning good poetry into one of those oratory exercises Mark Twain satirized. With a wicked one like this, it's worth the risk.
