Merry Maid

Bonny and stout and brown, without a hat,

She frowns offended when they call her fat--

Yet fat she is, the merriest in the place,

And all can know she wears a pretty face.

But still she never heeds what praise can say,

But does the work, and oft runs out to play,

To run about the yard and ramp and noise

And spring the mop upon the servant boys.

When old hens noise and cackle every where

She hurries eager if the eggs are dear,

And runs to seek them when they lay away

To get them ready for the market day.

She gambols with the men and laughs aloud

And only quarrels when they call her proud.