Bellevue gazette. [volume] (Bellevue City, N.T. [i.e. Neb.]) 1856-1858, 1857-12-31
p o E T r Y.
Maud Muller.
By JOHN @. WHITTIER.

NJ SOhN We
MAUD MULLER on a summers day,
Raked the meadow sweet with hay.
Beneath her torn hat glowed the wealth,
or simple beauty and rustic health.
Singing she wrought and her merry glee,
The mock-bird echoed from his tree.
BIT when she glanced to the far-of town,
White from its hill. slope looking down.
The sweet song died, and a vague unrest,
And a nameless longing filed her breast
A wish, that she hardly dared to own,
For somthing better than she had known.
The Judge rode slowly down the lane,
Smoothing his horses chestnut name.
He drew his bride In the shade,
or the apple tree to greet the maid.
And asked a draught from the spring that
flowed,
Through the meadow across the road.
She stopped where the cool spring bubbled
up,
And filled for him her small tin cup.
And blushed as she gave it, looking down,
On her feet so bare, and her tattered gown.
"Thanks" said the Judge, "a sweeter
draught,
From a fairer hand was never quafed."
He spoke Of the grass and flowers and trees
OF the singing birds and humming beesj
Then talked of the haying, and wondered
whether, tH. .Hr.1. H.r .4u..
The cloud in the west would bring foul
weather.
And Maud forgot her briar-torn gown,
And her gaceful anckles bare and brown.
And listened, while a pleased surprise, a4r
Looked from her long-lashed hazel eyes.
At last, like one who for delay,
Seeke a vain excuse, he rode away.
Maud Muller, looked and sighed !" All, me"
That / the Judges bride might bel
"He would dress me up in silks so fine,
And praise and toaste me at his wine"
"My father should wear a.broadcloth coat;
My brother should sail a painted boat;
I'd dress my mother so grand aud gay,
And the baby should have a new toy each
day.
And I'd feed the hungry and clothe the poor
And all should bless me who left our door
The Judge looked back as he climbed the
hill, -.
And saw Maud Muller standing still.
"a form more fair, a face more sweet,
Meier hathit been my lot to meet; ,.a
And her modest answer and graceful air,
Show her wise and good as she is fair.
Would she were mine, and | to day, fr ..
Like her, a harvester of hay;
No doubtful balance of rights and wrongs,
Nor weary lawyers of 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 eol'
Anu Ills HiOlicI VAN u ~ ohh ohu SSau'
So closing his heart the Judge rode on,
And Maud was left in 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 we'll,
Till the rain on the unraked clover fell.
He welded a wife of the richest dover,
Who lived for fashion, as he for power.
Yet oft in his marble hearth's bright glow,
He watched a picture come and go;
r And sweet Mand Muller's hazel eyes,
Looked out in their innocent surprise.
Oft when the wine in his glass was red,
: He longed for the way'ide well instead.
= And closed,his eyes on his garnished room
To dream Of meadows and clover blooms.
E And the proud man sighed with a secret
o pain; ''' I
y "Ah that I were free sgsini
Free as when / rode that day, ,
Where the barefoot maiden raked her hay.
She welded a man unlearDed and poor,
4 And many children played round her door
But care and sorrow and childbirth pain,
Left their traces on heart and brain.
And oft when thu summer sun shown hot
On the new-mowenh hay In the meadow 10
And she heard the little spring brook fall
s. Over the road side through the wall,
h In the shade of the apple tree again
She saw q rider draw hi, rein,