The Ruined Maid

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He later abandoned writing novels in favor of poetry, including "The Ruined Maid" (1901). This delightful little poem satirizes the Victorian view of prostitutes as doomed and "ruined" women, and suggests that they may in fact be happy and refined. Indeed, their high incomes and resulting financial independence made prostitutes the first feminists. </div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="048c0900.jpg" border=0 width="192" height="400" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="8" VSPACE="8"><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF66FF" FACE="Book Antiqua" >The Ruined Maid</FONT></div> <div> <I>by Thomas Hardy</I></div> <div> "O 'Melia, my dear, this does everything crown!</div> <div> Who could have supposed I should meet you in Town?</div> <div> And whence such fair garments, such prosperity?"--</div> <div> "O didn't you know I'd been ruined?" said she. </div> <div> --"You left us in tatters, without shoes or socks,</div> <div> Tired of digging potatoes, and spudding up docks;</div> <div> And now you've gay bracelets and bright feathers three!"--</div> <div> "Yes: that's how we dress when we're ruined," said she. </div> <div> --"At home in the barton you said 'thee' and 'thou,'</div> <div> And 'thik oon' and 'theäs oon' and 't'other'; but now</div> <div> Your talking quite fits 'ee for high company!"--</div> <div> "Some polish is gained with one's ruin," said she. </div> <div> --"Your hands were like paws then, your face blue and bleak</div> <div> But now I'm bewitched by your delicate cheek,</div> <div> And your little gloves fit as on any lady!"--</div> <div> "We never do work when we're ruined," said she. </div> <div> --"You used to call home-life a hag-ridden dream,</div> <div> And you'd sigh, and you'd sock; but at present you seem</div> <div> To know not of megrims or melancholy!"--</div> <div> "True. One's pretty lively when ruined," said she. </div> <div> --"I wish <U>I</U> had feathers, a fine sweeping gown,</div> <div> And a delicate face, and could strut about Town."--</div> <div> "My dear - a raw country girl, such as you be,</div> <div> Cannot quite expect that. You ain't ruined," said she. </div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>