New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-01-25
New1 1ork Da1u Gribnate
MAUD MULLER.

MAUD MULLER.
fJogs GsEElLEAv WHITTIER 10 one OF the Poets, a. the
olunps of The National Era whereof he has long been cor
sspon diDs Editor sbuDdsny attest Here bis last eon
uton TO that excellent paper:
MAUD MULLER, on a summers day,
Raked the meadow sweet with hay.
Beneath her torn hat glowed the wealth
OF simple beauty aud rustc health
Singing. abe wrought, snd her merry glee
The mock bird echoed from his tree.
But when she glanced TO the far-off town,
White from it's hill-slope looking down,
The sweet song died, and vague unrest
And namelsss longing filed her breast
A wish. that che hardly dared to own,
For something better than she had known
The Judge rode slowly down the lane,
Smoothing his horses chestnut name
He drew his bride in the shade
OF the apple trees, to greet the mad,
And ask draught from the spring that howe1
Through the meadow, across the road.
She stopped where the cool spring dubbed up,
And filed for him her small tin cup,
And blnshed a. she gave it, looking down
On her feet 20 bare and her tattered gown.
"Thsr ks! said the Judge, "a sweeter draught
From fairer hand was never quaffed.'
He spoke of the grass and flowers and trees,
OF the singing birds and the humning bees;
The cloud in the west would bring foul weather.
And Maud forgot her brer-torn gown,
And her graceful ankles bare and brown;
And listened, while pleased surprise
Looked from her long dashed hazel eyes.
At Iast, like one who for delay
Seeks vain excuse, be rode away.
Maud Muller looked and sighed "Ah, me
That the judges bride might be-
"He weuld dress me up in silks so fine,
And praise and to sst me at his wine.
t" Nv father should wear brosdcloth coat
NV brother should sail painted boat.
I'd dress my mother grand and gay,
And the baby should have new toy each day.
"And Id feed the hungry and clothe the poor,
And all should bless me who left our door.
The Judge looked back as he climbed tbs hill,
And saw Maud Muller standing stiil.
"a form more fair, face more sweet,
Neer hath it been my lot to meet.
"Apd her modest answer and graceful air
Show her wise and good as she is far.
"Would she were mine, and to-day
Like her, harvester OF hay:
"No doubtful balance Of rights and wrongs,
Nor weary lawyers with endless tongues,
"But low of cattle and song Of birds,
And health and quiet and loving Words
But he thought OF his sisters proud and cold,
And his mother vain Of her rank and gold.
So. closing his heart, the Judge he rode on,
And Maud was left 10 the field alone
But the lawyers smiled that afternoon,
When he hummed in court an old love tune
And the young girl unused beside the well,
Till the rain on the unraked clover fell.
He welded a wife Of richest dover,
Who lived for fashion, as he for power.
Yet Oft, in his marble heartb's bright glow
He watched picture come and 60:
And sweet Maud Muller's hazel eyes
Locke out in their innocent surprise.
on. when the wine 10 bis glass was red,
He longed for the waysde well instead
And closed his eyes on biz garnished rooms,
To dream Of meadows ana clover-bloons.
And the proud man sighed, with 4 secret pain:
"Ah, that l were free again
"Free a. when rode that day,
Where the barefoot maiden raked her hay"
Ehe welded man unlearnei and poor,
Ard many children played round her door.
But care ard sorrow, and childbirth pain,
Left their traces on heart and brain.
And oft, when the summer sun shone hot
On the new nown hay in the meadow lot
And she heard the little spring brook fell
Over the roadside, through the wall,
In the shade of the spple-9ee again
She ssw a rider draw his rein.
And gazing down with a timid grace,
She felt his pleased eyes read her face.
Sometimes her narrow kitchsn-walls
Stretched away into stately halls
: The weary wheel TO spinnet turned,
The tallow candle al astral burned,
And for him who sat by the chimney.lug,
Doiipg and gruubiDg Ger pipe and mug.
A manly form st her side she saw,
And joy was duty and love was law.
Then she took no her burden Of life again,
Saying only, "n might have been"
Alas for maiden, alas for Judge,
FOR rich repiRer and household drudge
God pity thsm both and pity us all,
Who vainly the dreams Of youth recall.
For of all sad words of tongue pen,
The ssddeet are these: :" 1t might have boon !"
All, well for Us all some sweet hope lies
Deeply buried from human eyes,
And, in the hereafter angels may
Roll the stone from its grave away!