The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1866-10-27
POETRY.
MAUD MULLER.
JOHN q. WHITTIER.


OF simple beauty and rustic health
Singing, she wrought. and her merry gieo
The mock-bird echoed from his tree
But. when she glanced to tho far-oG town,
White from its hill-slOpo looking down.
The sweet song died, and a vagc unrest
And q nameless longing hlled her breass-
| A wish that she hardly dared to own.
For something better than she had known.
The Judge rode slowly down the lane,
/ Smoothing his horses chestnut mane'
And drnw his bride in tho shade
ofthe apple tree to greet the maid
And ask a draught from the spring that flowed,
Through the meadow across the road.
She stopped where the cool spring bubbled up
| And filed for him her small tin cup,
| And blushcd as she gave il, looking down
| On her feet so bare and her tattered gown.
Thanks - said the Judge. ga swecter draught
! From a fairer hand was never quahed.
He spoke of the grass and flowers and trees,
OF the sing birds and the humming bees;
They talked of the haying and wondered wheth
/ The eload in tho west would bring foul weather.
| And Maud forgot her bricr-torn gown,
And.he graceful ankles bare and brown
And listened, while pleased surprise
Looked from her long-lashed hazel eyes.
| At last like ono who for delay
Seeks a vain excuse, he rode away.
Maud Muller looked, and sighed "Ah, me!
That the Judges bride might be
He would dress me up in silk fne,
And praise and toast me at his wine.
Nv father should wear a broadeloth coat;
My brother should sail painted boat.
I'd dress my mother so grand and gay,
And the baby should have 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,
Fer hath it been my chance to meet;
"And her modest answer, and graceful air
Show her wise and good rs she Is fair.
''Would she were mine, and to-day,
Like her, harvester Of hay;-
No doubtful balance Of rights and wrongs,
Nor wary lawyers with endless tongues,
But low of cattle and song Of birds,
, And health aud quiet and loving words"
But he thought Of his sisters proud and cold,
AMI Lis mother vain Of her rank AMI gold.
So closing his heart, the Judge rode on,
And Maud was left in tho field alone.
But the lawyers smiled that afternoon,
When be 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 richest dover,
Who lived for fashion, as he for power.
Yet of oft in his marble hcalths bright glow,
He watched the bright picture come and goj
. And sweet Maud Mullcrs hazel eyes
, Looked out in their innocent surprise.
Oft when the wine in his glass was red,
He Ionged for the WayEide well instead;
; ; And closed his eyes On his garnished rooms,
I To dream Of meadows and clover blooms.
ana the pTOQu an slS0eQ, Win EtCIEL pain
"Ah, that / were free again
Free as when rode that day.
: Where the barefoot maiden raked her hay"
. She welded man unlearned and poor.
= And many children played round her door.
= But care and sorrow, and childbirth pain,
Lent their traces on heart and brain.
} And oft, when tho summer sun shone hot
On the new moWn hay in tho meadow lot
And she heard the little spring brook fall
Over the roadside, through the wall,
, In the shade of the apple tree again
She a rider draw his rein,
And gazing down with timid glance.
She felt his pleased eyes read her face.
Sometimes her narrow kitchen walls
~ Stretched away into stately halls
- The weary wheel to a gpinnet turned,
The tallOW candle an astral burned.
And for him who sat by the chimney log,
+ DOzing and grumbling over pipe and mug,
= A manly form at her side she saw,
II And joy was duty and love was law.
Then she took up her burden of life again
Saying only, at might have BEEN"
Alas for maiden, alas for Judge,
For rich reiner and household drudge
y God pity them both ! and pity us all,
Who Vainly the dreams of youth recall.
For of all sad words Of tongue or pen,
. The saddest are these: ait might have been |"
All, well for us all some hope lies
Deeply buried from human eyes;
And in the hereafter angels may
~ Roll the stone from its grave away.