M38^a ■1 m A = Al cr. m m = :c 3 = o 8 - y> 1 ^= ^ A ^^™ 6 ■ — ; 3> 1 -= ^^5 ^ 9 = N MORGAN'S Love PEDESTRIAN POEM THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES Ann Morgan's Love Ann MORGAN'S Love A PEDESTRIAN POEM BY ARTHUR MUNBY A country lip hath oft the velvet touch : Though she's no lady, she may please as much. Post obitum vivam tecum, tecum requiescam, Nee fiat melior sors mea sorte tua. LONDON REEVES AND TURNER 5 WELLINGTON STREET, STRAND 1896 PI? S'lo( If WotniJ7! he n child of circumstance, A crenture of those habits and those rules That birth or breeding gives ^ and of the schools And social arts whereby she may advance This way or that, from merest ignorance : If these things be her makers, not her tools. Why then, we need not love her : none but fools Would lose their hearts to accident and chance. But if there be a Womanhood indeed. Which no defect of culture or of grace Can maim or mar ; if that spontaneous seed Were found, sprung up in some unthought of place ; Then, ht who finds it, well might give his life To foster such a sweetheart, such a wife. i^t'.^,:--i* CONTENTS The Doctor's Talk with Ann . . . '^"S' i He Divines Her Secret ... 12 Her Master's Return .... 19 He Dines, and She Waits on Him . . 20 He Speaks his Mind, and Offers Marriage . 22 Her Reluctance and Confession . . 24 Why He Loved Her .... 27 Why She Loved Him ... 29 He Marries Her ..... 30 He Shows Her what Ladyhood is Like . 31 And She still Refuses it . . . . 33 Why She Refuses it . . . 36 He Considers the Problem ... 38 And Sends Her to Her own Village . . 42 And Joins Her There . . . . 51 Their Wedded Life There ... 52 Beyond those Voices, there is Peace . . 58 Ann Morgan's Love Bare-arm'd and buxom, rosy with her toil, She hurried in, because the neighbours said That some one call'd her. At her cottage door The doctor stood; who smiled, and said, "Well, Ann ! 5 I knew you were a thorough servant-maid Indoors, but not that you could work a-field 1 " She dropp'd her curtsy ; then, with injured look, ** Me work a-field ? " she said ; " Lor bless yo. Sir ! When Ah was joost a yoongling wench a-whoam, lo Ah used to gather droppins on the roads For father's 'lotment ; an' fro' then to noo, Theer inna mooch aboot a field or farm But what Ah've doon it, an' can do it still ! " "Well," said the doctor, "I apologize : 15 They have not told me half your powers, Ann ! But, how are you ? Nothing the matter, eh ? " A 3 ANN MORGAN'S LOVE "Naw, Sir," said Ann, "Ah's right enoogh ! But Sir"- She added, looking hard at him — " Sure He, Yo arena coom to gie me doctors' stooff ? 20 Ah dunna want naw doctor ! " " No," said he : " You're health itself; your face and your big arms Speak volumes for you 1 But you know quite well That when your Master went, I promised him That I would come and see you now and then, 25 And tell him all about you." ** Aye," she said, "Ah do remember : it was kind o' him, An' kind o' yo to call, Sir. But ye see Mah Master's foossy, been a gentleman : Dear heart alive ! He med have easy thowt 30 'At Ah was well — wi' sich a deal to do, Joost what Ah like ; an' him a-coomin whoam Three weeks temorrer ! " " Is he coming home So soon ? And can you tell me where he is ? " " Well Sir, they gie'd me t'naame ; but Ah forget — 35 Ah canna fraame to tell it. But Ah know He's gone to foreign parts, a-pleasurin. Across the sea ; they calls it lia/y — Ah do mind that." "But where ? " the doctor said ; ANN MORGAN'S LOVE " For Italy's a counlry.^' "Is it, Sir? 40 Well, theer's a paaper as he's wrote it on ; Ah'll look ; but what. Ah canna find it noo — Mah hands is black. Sir, if yo wouldna mind — But yo'd be shaamed, to speak wi' such as me A-sellin fish — Ah'd give it yo to-night : 45 Ah've got to stand the market, at oor stall." " Yes," said the doctor, laughing ; " be it so. I know your stall ; and I have heard folks say You are a famous fishwoman. Perhaps You'll let me have a penn'orth, just to try ? " 50 "Aye, Sir," said Ann; "two penn'orth, if ye like ! An' charge ye nothin, neither. Fish is dear, To what they used to : it's the gentlefolks Has fun' 'em oot ; an' all along o' that, Us poor folks gets the worst on it." " Why, Ann," 55 The doctor gravely said, " you're very sage : Learned beyond your station ! Do you know That this great problem of the rich and poor, Which you have put succinctly into words. Is full of deep complexity ? " Her eyes, 4 ANN MORGAN'S LOVE Oo Her large blue eyes, grew wider as he spoke ; She stared : then, seeing something in his face That was not grave, she broke into a laugh, And clapp'd her hard brown hands. " Dear heart alive ! " She cried, " How you do best me wi' your talk 1 65 Ah know'd no moor what yo was speakin on, No, nor the baabe unborn 1 You gentlefolk Is all like that : my Master's joost the saame ; He's at me wi' his dixonary words, O' purpose to mak' fun o' me. But what I 70 Ah can bestjj'o, wi' mah roogh coontry tongue, As is a deal moor solid an' moor stright Till them long words is, Sir ! " " That's right, fair Ann I Your country tongue is better far for you, And dearer to your Master, and to all 75 Who love the native English of their land. But tell me — for I must have news of you — What were you doing, when I came in here ? They said you were at field work, out of doors." " Eh, Ah was ony diggin. Sir ! Yo see 80 It's time o' year ; an' Ah were diggin in What moock Ah'd gather'd. Ivery year i' Spring Ah digs an' sets this garden ; doongs it well. ANN MORGAN'S LOVE An' puts in taaters, cabbages, an' beans, Onions, an' soochlike ; an' again the sides, 85 Parsley, an' mint, or what the Master Hkes, For garnish. But Ah've welly doon it all ; An' if we nobbut get a sup o' raan, An' a good sun, why, things 'ull easy do By when he cooms. See ye ! this here's his room ; 90 Ah've sided it ; an' if it's poor and small, An' joost a bricken floor an' nothink else, Saam as mah kitchen, you can see yourself As it's a parlour. Sich a many books, An' things to write, an' picturs on the walls, 95 An' real good chairs an' that I Afoor he cooms, Ah shall gaw doon upon my hands and knees. An' scrub this floor, an' oil the furniture. An' black the graate, an' sweep the chimley doon, An' doost, an' clean the winder oot an' in, 100 An' set them pots o' flooers all a-row, An' stick a posy on the taable theer, An' silver, an' a napkin : all for him ! His parlour an' mah kitchen is as near To one anoother, an' as mooch unlike, 105 As him an' me is." With an honest smile Of frank content and homely self-respect, She spoke : and now the doctor look'd at her 6 ANN MORGAN'S LOVE More seriously, more sadly, than before. Her handsome face, deep-bronzed by sun and wind ; no Her strong, bare, sinewy arms and rugged hands, Blacken'd with labour ; and her peasant dress, Rude, coarse in texture, yet most picturesque, And suited to her station and her ways ; All these, transfigured by that sentiment 115 Of lowly contrast to the man she served, Grew dignified with beauty ; and herself A noble working woman, not ashamed Of what her work had made her. Not to her Did he reveal emotion such as this : 120 He only said : " Well, Ann, you're very right, To let your Master have such pretty things And comforts, in this little room of yours, As he's been used to. While he is away. No doubt you use this parlour for yourself? " 125 " Me, Sir ? " cried Ann ; " 771c use the Master's room An' him not in it ? That would be a thing ! Ah've nowt to do wi' parlours : when he's gone. Ah shuts it oop, an' niver oppens it, Ony for airin, till it's time to clean 130 An' side it, for his coomin back again. The kitchen's my home, Sir ; an' always was, ANN MORGAN'S LOVE 7 An' always will be." " Well — and of its kind You need not wish a better home than this, This cottage-kitchen, opening on the lane. *35 You keep it clean : the oven and the range Are black and bright — and that's your handiwork ; You've scour'd the fender, and you've swept the hearth ; The copper kettle shines like burnish'd gold ; So do the tall brass candlesticks above ; 140 So does this ancient warming pan, that glows Like sunshine on the wall ; and that old clock Is a real treasure. But consider, Ann : I know you like to take the lowest place, As a rough homely servant ; yet, indeed, 145 Rough though you be, you are a woman still, And not a man ; and everybody knows That women are more delicate than men, And more refined. Well then, you ought to learn The love of books and pictures, music, flowers, 150 And all the dainty things that gentlemen And ladies have about them ; you should share The knowledge that your Master has ; the grace Of his fair life should also brighten yours. And make your service pleasant. Don't you see ? " 155 " Aye, Sir," said Ann, disdainfully, " Ah sees I 8 ANN MORGAN'S LOVE An' theer's a deal o' meanin in your talk, Naw doot, if Ah could reckon what it is ! But dun yo reelly think, sich things as them Has owt to do wi' me ? Dear heart alive 1 i6o Me, all mail days a coontry servant-wench. Bred on a farm, an' used to dirty work — Scrubbin an' scourin, cleaning boots an' knives, An' sich as that — what good is books to me, Or picturs either, for sich work as mine ? 165 Well, Ah can read and write — thank God for that ! But Ah could clean a graate an' scrub a floor As well as iver, if Ah lost it all Or niver know'd my letters. Books is good, An' picturs too, for them as has no need 170 To soil their hands ; aye, an' for us an' all, When work is ower'd. That's my meanin. Sir ; But they're naw good, to learn us what to do. Nor how to get wer livin. As for flooers An' music — well, Ah sings a bit i' church ; 173 An' look ye theer, at all them flooers i' pots 1 Ah've potted 'em, an' water'd 'em, an' all, An' knows their naames : aye, women sich as me Is tied to care for flooers ! " With a blush She paused, and said : " But Lor, Ah've spoke a deal, 180 An' stright on end ! It's clean above mah plaace ANN MORGAN'S LOVE To talk like this to you, Sir ! Waw'd ha' thowt Ah'd got the haselet for it ? " " Never mind," The doctor said, with his pecuHar smile ; " I don't object to haselet — not at all : 185 I like to hear a woman's arguments, And see a sturdy servant-wench like you Defend her calling. Speak your thoughts, my lass ; I shall not be offended." "Well then, Sir, Been as yo are that friendly, joost look here : 190 Yo talk o' women, an' yo please to say As women is moor delicate till men : It's fauseness. Sir — it's foolery ! Naw doot, Laadies is nesh ; Ah could ha' tell'd ye that, By oor Miss Marget, as could niver beer 193 To talk o' things what mun be talk'd aboot — Let alone see 'em ; an' that poor Miss Day, As kep the Margate lodgin-house, an' me Her maid-of-all-work : couldna do a thing. Her couldn't ; peel a taater, cook a chop, 200 Nor nothin : eh. Ah used to feel for her ! Ah used to think, it's better after all To be a wench like me, an' bred to work, Nor be a laady sich as her ; coom doon, An' couldna do one job to help hersel, lo ANN MORGAN'S LOVE 205 For all her schoolin' 1 Naw, Sir ; it's the use, An' not the seek, as maks folks delicate : Look at mah Master, then, an' look at me ! Wi' his fine fingers an' his dainty ways He's like a laady ; an' Ah often thinks 210 He is a laady, when Ah waits on him — An' me a common mon." " The more fool you, Ann Morgan 1 " said the doctor, angrily : " Your Master is as manly as the best, For all his gentleness ; and as for you, 215 You are not common ; and you're not a man, Nor like one. Why, the roughest part of you, Your big red arms and your tremendous hands. Are feminine, for all that : yes they are ! " Ann shook her head : " Theer's many women. Sir, 220 Has arms as good as mine, an' hands as hard ; If that's your meanin : but it inna hat ; An' what yo mean, the Lord o' mussy knows ! But Ah know one thing ; if mah Master liked. He's fit to sit at dinner wi' the Queen, 225 An' talk aboot Her Majesty ; an' me Not fit to hand the dishes to 'em — theer ! That's what mah Master is, by what Ah know ; An' that's what I are ! Sir, yo talk'd o' things ANN MORGAN'S LOVE ii To mak' mah service pleasant : bless your heart ! 230 Service t's pleasant, if you've got a plaace As good as mine is, an' a mon to serve As is that far above you — aye, an' yet Can show hisself a Master joost as kind As if he was a equal." ♦* By the way," 235 The doctor said (quite carelessly, it seem'd) ** Have you a sweetheart, Ann ? " Her clear blue eyes Look'd frankly at him ; " Naw, Sir," she replied, ** Ah niver had a sweetheart — nobbut yan. An him none neither, cause he didden know 240 'At Ah was fond on him." " Where is he now ? " " He's gone awaa, Sir." " But he's coming back Three weeks to-morrow." " Sir ! " the startled maid Exclaim'd — and her wide-open eyes and mouth Show'd blank astonishment — ** Sir, you're mistook ! 245 That is the day mah Master's coomin whoam." ** Quite so," the doctor said ; "and I might add Rem acu tetigisti; which implies That you have hit the mark — and so have I. 12 ANN MORGAN'S LOVE You've got a sweetheart, Ann ! If that young man 250 Who does not know you love him, came again. What would you do ? " " Saam as Ah did afoor ; An' that's joost nowt. Ah wadna let him think Ah liked him, if he didna care for me I " " Right, right ! A modest woman's just reply. 255 But, if he did care for you, Ann — what then ? " " Eh, Sir ! " she said, " Ah sure Ah canna tell ; It's bad to think on ! " " But you'll have to think. And settle too : so, set about it now. Ann, I have learnt your secret ; and I know 260 Who that young man is — though he's not so young As one might wish ; well, you are fortunate : Your sweetheart is — your Masier." ''W/iaif" she cried, And started back ; and in her sunburnt face The ruddy roses of her lips and cheeks 265 Grew pale beneath the brown ; she closed her eyes And lean'd against the dresser ; and her hands Fell forward, helpless. Yet she did not faint ; He knew she would not : such a girl as this, Strong, rustic, sensible — whate'er she feels, ANN MORGAN'S LOVE 13 270 Is no adept at fainting. Presently She roused herself, and stood erect again, And look'd at him with shy and timorous eyes. As in a low uncertain voice she said " Sir, yo'U excuse me : do the Master know ? " 275 " No," said the doctor ; " I am sure of that ; He does not know. And I too did not know. When I came here : Ann, you betray'd yourself ! Your earnest words convinced me that you felt More than a woman should, for any man 2S0 To whom she is a servant. But with you The case is different, now. You understand That I came down to see you here to-day. Because your Master ask'd me, as his friend, To do so, and to tell you quietly 285 About his feelings, and to find out yours. And see if you could love him : if you can, I know he means to marry you." Those words, "To see if you could love him," oh, how strange They seem'd, to her who loved him all along ! 290 Well, but they show'd he had not found it out ; And that was something. ** Sir," she slowly said, With downcast eyes and hesitating words — And her bronzed face grew redder than her hands 14 ANN MORGAN'S LOVE As she went on — "if he say that to me, 295 Wativer shall Ah do ? It's like enoogh As Ah can love him ; for Ah canna beer To think o' leavin, an' anoother plaace, An' not to be his servant ; but his wife — Eh, that's so different ! It 'ud be disgraace, 300 A mon like him to wed a wench like me ! " " He does not think so," said the candid friend ; "And, since I am no relative of his, I need not think so neither. But you see You will no longer be the same rough Ann 305 That you are now ; no, that would never do ! Your simple cotton frock, your servant's cap. Your kitchen apron, all will disappear ; For he will change you, and you will be changed. You will give up your common work and ways ; 310 You'll make your hands and arms as smooth and white As any lady's ; and you'll go to school — Yes, Ann, you'll go to school, and there be taught To love the things I spoke of. Most of all, You must forget your homely country tongue, 315 And be grammatical, and learn to speak In pretty phrases and in fine long words. Like folk who live in parlours. That is hard ; But, since your sweetheart is a gentleman, ANN MORGAN'S LOVE 15 You must become a lady. So, prepare ! 320 Or be for ever what you are — a drudge." That was plain speaking ; but the candid friend Perhaps had motives ; did not quite approve So strange a mesalliance ; thought to rouse Ann's rustic self against her misplaced love, 325 By showing her the issue ; making clear That such a marriage could but take away All that she cared for; all her humble life, And hope of service ; could not but degrade The man she loved, and do no good to her. 330 " If she feels this," the wily doctor thought, " Then, since her nature, rugged though it be. Is noble, and her maiden heart is pure. She has the woman's gift, self-sacrifice. And she will use it : she will give him up 335 For his own sake, and suffer all alone." Ah well— he overreach'd himself His words. Simple enough, yet like a foreign speech To her rude ears, confused her as they came ; But listening, she painfully pieced out 340 Their meaning and their drift ; and all the while Her mind grew clearer, and her courage rose ; Till, when he ceased, she had no fear at all. l6 ANN MORGAN'S LOVE No doubt, no hesitation. *' Sir," she said Slowly, and with a grave respectful air, 345 " Ah thank yo for your tellins ; an' at last Ah've coom to understand 'em. Yo ha' said The Master thinks o' me to be his wife. An' means to offer : him a gentleman, An' me a laabourer's dowter ! To be sure, 350 That is a honour for to mak' one proud ; But not to chaange wat niver can be chaanged. Ah canna chaange mah natur an' mah ways ; Ah've lived like this for five an' twenty year. An' likes it ; an' Ah's tit for nothink else, 355 Nor dunna want to be. An' if Ah've dar'd To look above me for a sweetheart, Sir, That's noan presumptions ; cause Ah niver thowt , Nor niver wish'd, to be na'moor to him Till what I are. Ah'd liefer by a deal 360 Be joost his servant, nor to be a wife To onny oother mon. An' as for schule — To learn fine talk an' little fidfad things. Why, its ridic'lous ! Me, at twenty-five. To gan a-schulin amoong laadies — nay, 365 It shanna be. Saw this is wat Ah says :, Yo give mah duty to the Master, Sir, An' tell him, if he can demean hissel To sich as me, as shouldna look that high, ANN MORGAN'S LOVE 17 Ah winna be contrary ; but Ah think 370 He'd better let ma' be, Yo knaw yourself, Ah wouldna shaame him for a hunderd poond An' moor till that : but be yo sure o' this — Ah winna be a laady ! " "Good," said he ; " I'll tell him what you say. And you are wise, 375 To take the matter calmly. Now, Goodbye ! " And as he went, he thought " The thing is safe ; He cannot marry her." " Calmly," he said : He little knew her ! Wenches such as she, Rough and untaught, but honest and sincere, 380 Have sometimes depths of feeling, more profound Than slighter maidens know of; they have hearts That glory in their lowliness ; and love That asks for nothing, will have no reward. Except the right to serve. When he was gone, 385 That wily friend, she dropp'd into a chair. And laid her face upon her strong brown arms. And cried a little ; then, she sat upright, And threw her kitchen apron o'er her head, And thought awhile. ** Aye, Ah ha' doon quite right," 390 She thought, " an' Ah mun stick to it. At last, He'll knaw wat's in me : let him think o' that, B i8 ANN MORGAN'S LOVE An' think o' me as says it 1 Ah could beer, Ah know Ah could, to see him wed i* church To soom fine laady, if he wanted her ; 395 He owt to have a laady to his wife, Aye, an' a grand un : but Ah couldna beer Him to be tired o' inc. Na' moor he need ! For in mah kitchen Ah could serve him still, An' her's no call to knaw. But that's not fair ; 400 It's underhanded ; it 'ud niver do. Well then ; if he can fraame to think o' me, An' tak' me what I are, an' mak' naw fooss, Ah'll be his servant an' his wife an' all — Aye, bawth tegither. It's a easy thing 405 For sich as me ; my own poor folks 'ull knaw 'At Ah'm a honest woman ; as for him An' his fine friends, why, let 'em coom an' gan. Like they do noo, an' reckon nowt o' me ! Ah shall be t'saam, in iverything but yan, 410 An' that's mah weddin ring. Aye, ihat^ll do — An' a good job, Ah've sattled it ! " She rose, And went at once about her daily work ; Active as ever ; happy in the thought Of such a lifelong servitude for love, 415 And such a lowly wifehood. Silently ANN MORGAN'S LOVE ig The days went by ; she scrubb'd and swill'd and scour'd, And swept the house ; and most of all, she clean'd The Master's parlour ; with her rustic taste Adorning it for him. At last, one day 420 A letter — rare experience ! came to her ; Address'd, Ann Morgan. It was simply this : — " Ann, I am coming by the evening train ; Have dinner ready." That was all : no love. No hint of his affection. She was glad ; 425 For she had wish'd that nothing should be said Till all was said. She kept the letter, though ; And hid it in her Bible. When he came. She gave him just a servant's welcome home ; The simple curtsy and the sober smile 430 That he had always had : although indeed The roses in her cheeks were ruddier. And her blue eyes no longer look'd at him So frankly as before. But she went out And did her duty ; brought the luggage in, 435 Up to his room ; and, when she thought it time, Knock'd there, and said "Your dinner's ready. Sir." Yes, he must dine ! And truly, from of old Ann knew the worth of dining ; she herself Enjoy'd her noonday bacon and her beer ; 440 And oh, what dinner is, to gentlefolks 1 20 ANN MORGAN'S LOVE A sacrament, an outward visible sign Of social grace, and wit, and badinage. Dinner, great centre of our human life. Prime mover of the spirit and the soul, 445 Majestic Power ! If thou art not benign, All hope may vanish, and all projects fail : And Love's fail first ; for who would e'er propose. Or who accept, unwarranted by thee ? Therefore, he dined ; and she behind his chair 450 Stood quietly, or moved about the room Bearing the dishes : not a word was said ; And when the meal was over, silently She fill'd her tray, and laden, disappear'd. But when the bell had rung for prayers, and prayers 455 Were ended, as she glided to the door. He caird her : ** Ann, I wish to speak to you." She stopp'd, turn'd pale, and trembled as she stood : " Yes, Sir ? " " You saw the doctor ? " " Yes, Sir." "And He told you all my message ? " "Yes, Sir." " Well, 460 What do you think of it ? " " Aw Sir," she said, ANN MORGAN'S LOVE 21 " Ah dunno what to think, nor what to say ! The doctor tell'd me yo'd explain it all — But me, Ah darna reckon as it's true." " Why not ? " " How can yo ax me that, Sir? Think — 465 Think o' the difference ! " " The difference ! To me, and those who think as I do, Ann, All that is in your favour. Now, look here : You've served me, and you've work'd both well and hard. Five years and more ; and that is quite enough 470 To know you by. I always have admired Your beauty, and your stature, and your strength ; Your skill in labour, and your willingness To do my bidding ; but that is not all : No, I have watch'd you in your work and ways 475 Among your fellowservants ; and have seen How you have help'd your parents and your kin Out of your wages. Other maids like you Have done as much ; but that too is not all : You are no common servant, Ann ; I see 480 In you, a nature and a character Above the working women of your class, Aye, and above my own class. For indeed The ladies fritter half their life away In polishing the other half; but you, 22 ANN MORGAN'S LOVE 485 Who have no polish, and have had no chance To learn accomplishments, you stand here now Just as God made you : simple, honest, pure ; Healthy and strong ; and full of sterling sense, And gentleness, and meek humility, 490 And earnestness in work. No higher praise A man could give a woman ; be she drudge, Or be she duchess. As for other things That I think little, and the world thinks much ; They can be alter'd, better'd, beautified : 495 You are untaught — but you have brains to learn ; And you are rough with labour — but anon Labour will cease ; and then, your comeliness Will shine out clear. But mind you, for myself, I like your red arms and your harden'd hands 500 Far better than a lady's. They are signs Of duty done unselfishly and well ; But hers are signs of nothing, save vain ease, And sleek prosperity. And now," said he, Rising, and holding out his hand to her, 505 " Ann, will you be my wife ? I did not know Till now, that your devotion to myself Was more than service ; and 'tis much, to think You care for me as I too care for you. — You understand what I have said, I hope ? " 510 For she stood silent ; looking doubtfully ANN MORGAN'S LOVE 23 With moisten 'd eyes ; nor would she take his hand — Not yet : he would contrast his own with hers, And the mere touch might shock him. But to think Of all the many things she had to say, 515 And had already said within her heart And even to the doctor ! And yet now, In presence of her master and her fate, She could not say them. Seeing her distress, "Ann, dear," he said, "your silence gives consent; 520 Is it not so?" She started and she blush'd. And her moist eyes ran over : what was this ? No man like him had ever call'd her Dear — And now, he did so, who was more to her Than all the others ! " Master," she replied, 525 " I are your servant now, an' nothink else ; An' Ah could wish to be your servant still For all my life, if yo would let me, Sir : Ah ax na' moor. As for your pretty ways An' schulin — nay, Ah'm got too owd for it, 530 Too roogh an' ignorant ; Ah canna chaange ; I arena fit to be your wife at all. If Ah mun be what yo are ; that's the trewth ! " 24 ANN MORGAN'S LOVE He smiled, to see her sudden vehemence ; And yet, it raised his pity and his love 535 Higher than ever ; and he softly said " Well, you can settle these things by and bye, When we are married. Surely, you would like To leave off cleaning boots and blacking grates, And scrubbing floors, and to sit down with me 540 Here, or in that old parlour at the Grange, And be at leisure ? You will read nice books, And I shall tell you all you wish to know, And make you happy in a way quite new. And yet quite simple ; so you need not fear." 545 " Sir," she exclaim'd, in sadness and surprise, " Yo canna reelly think as sich a life 'Ud do for ine ? Ah'd like to read nice books. An' Ah could learn a deal, Ah'm sure o' that. If yo was teacher ; but to sit oop here, 550 An' not do nothing for mysel nor yo. Ah couldna beer it. Sir ! A wench like me Mun show her love by doin all her can For him as loves her : Ah shall work for yo, Wife or no wife, in service like I are, 555 While I ha' hands to work with — that Ah shall ! " He smiled again ; as if it were a jest. Her way of loving : but he only said ANN MORGAN'S LOVE 25 "Ann, we will talk of that, another time : Whatever happens, and whate'er you do, 560 I've ask'd you, and you have not said me nay — So you shall be my wife. Now then, come here, And take my hand." Reluctant and confused, She gave her hand ; he took it, held it out Toward the light, and stroked it, up and down 5C5 The stififen'd fingers and the callous palm, As if he loved it ; saying to himself ** It is a shapely and a noble hand ! Large, and of course disfigured and deform'd By labour ; but, when once the labour's done, 570 It may become a lady's." " Niver, Sir 1 " Cried Ann, who heard him with astonishment ; ** Mah hands shall always be what they are now, An' so shall Ah be I Ah'd be shaamed indeed. To have a laady's hand ! '"' Again he smiled — 575 Smiled and said nothing, the provoking man ! But raised her ruddy fingers to his lips, And kiss'd them like a courtier. With a start Of wonder and of gratitude, she blush'd, And drew her hand away ; and he turn'd round, 580 Saying, " Fair Ann, I've paid my footing here, 26 ANN MORGAN'S LOVE And now I claim your lips : they are not spoilt By duty, like your hands ; work has not marr'd Their freshness and their fragrance ! " It was true ; And so he found it, having in his arms 585 The maiden whom he loved. " Now go," he said ; " Go quick to rest ; and when to-morrow comes, Write to your mother. In a fortnight's time, You'll have to name the day." So that was all Of courtship, 'twixt the Master and the maid. 590 They knew each other ; in the selfsame house, So near and yet so distant, each had lived Observant of the other. From above He noticed her : her face had struck him first ; A quiet face, serenely beautiful 595 In feature and expression ; ladylike In outline ; but in texture and in hue " Subdued to what she work'd in " ; like herself, A medley strange of rustic and refined. It was a peasant's face, undoubtedly : 600 The fair blue eyes show'd nothing from within That was not native : no imported grace. Nor knowledge, nor experience ; no fine art Of how and when to open or to close ANN MORGAN'S LOVE 27 Her fascinating eyelids. No fine art 605 Had bronzed the rural roses of her checks, Nor touch'd her innocent mouth, whose soft red lips Were sweet and wholesome as the udder'd kine That she had milk'd and tended. But in her Were traits above her calling ; qualities 610 Which, rightly train'd by duty or by love, Might make her life heroic. She was tall, And statuesque in pose and character : A servantmaid, and yet not frivolous. Nor vain, nor vulgar ; caring not a whit 615 To ape her betters ; rather, standing by In proud humility, to let them see How different she was from their ladyships In dress and manner ; seeming so to say " This is my station, and the work I do ; 620 I'm not ashamed to be a servant. Ma'am ! " Such was the vision that he had of her, De hmtt en bas ; and all her deeds and ways Had verified his fancy. He meanwhile Among the ladies of his rank and age 625 Sought vainly for a heroine, to match His unsuspecting servant. Surely they, Advantaged by their training and their birth. Must be superior to a girl like this I 28 ANN MORGAN'S LOVE But she, obscure and humble though she were, 630 Was yet original : and what were they ? Mere imitations, commonplace and cheap, Of something other than themselves. He saw Their life, their knowledge, their accomplishments. Their very pastimes, were not of their own, 635 But changed and fashion'd by each fleeting hour Of popular applause. If they had sense, And merit, and a purpose, they grew vain. Presumptuous, or eccentric ; and if not — Why, that was worse than t' other ! So he turn'd 640 And look'd at her, who had no part nor lot In ladyhood, nor in society : She had no knowledge ; she could never tell What books to read, what pictures to admire. Nor what opinions ; no, nor where to go, 645 Beyond her native county. What she had Was small indeed ; but then, it was her own : She had in her the making and the mould Of better things than fashion, or than fame. And so he look'd and look'd, and from her face 650 Sketch'd out a future for himself and her. Till contemplation ripen'd into love. And what did she do ? Gazing from below, ANN MORGAN'S LOVE 29 Far off, and in so mean a standing place, How came she thus to love him ? That she did 655 A thing so bold and dangerous, was due To finer feelings and a better taste Than her rude class affords. She did not care For Jack or Tom, the jester and the clown. Who follow'd her, and woo'd her company 660 Against her will ; she did not want a mate Of her own sort, unlearned like herself. Incompetent to guide : she wanted him, Because he look'd so clever and so kind, And was so much above her, that he seem'd 665 All that the white man to the savage seems, • All that the savage to his faithful dog. She wanted love, and leadership, and light, That she might share, as favour'd pupils share The studies of their teacher ; and of all 670 She yearn'd for, this she yearn'd for most of all — To be his servant. Thus she would repay, By her own labour, frankly and at ease. The care, the guidance, the companionship. Which he, she thought, could give her ; and escape 675 That which she chiefly dreaded : the belief His friends would have, that such a love as hers Was merely degradation and disgrace To one like him ; for, if they did not know 30 ANN MORGAN'S LOVE She loved him, they could never blame her love. 680 She had no theories ; the very word Was meaningless to her ; and all her thoughts Were fluid and unshaped ; she had no skill To shape them, and no words to put them in. But they were strong ; for she had strength of will, 685 And these were instincts : instincts of a soul That knows its mate, but knows not how it knows. So those two loved each other, and were wed ; The Master and the servant. All her kin, But none of his, came thither to that sight ; 690 And thus their life began. No outward change ; No sign of marriage, save her wedding ring ; For so she wish'd. He only took to him A rough hardhanded homely kitchenwench To be his mated wife ; and gain'd thereby 695 The hatred of his kinsfolk, and the scorn Of all those ladies whom he might have woo'd And might have wedded. What could make amends For such disastrous consequence ? Why, Love ! Love under new conditions : the success 700 Of this untried experiment of his. For, he would show them what a woman is, Simply as woman : how she can be raised, By virtue of her very womanhood, ANN MORGAN'S LOVE 35 For yo to reckon what to do wi' me, Been as I are your wife." ** Exactly so," 805 Said he ; " rem acu, as the doctor says — You've hit it." " Well then, if so be it's that, Yo've nowt to reckon, Sir 1 Yo've took me oop, A wench as always work'd for yo for love Better till waages ; an' yo've gi'en me right 810 To sit beside ye, an' to read to ye, An' hear ye tell a many hunderd things As niver cooms into sich heads as mine, For want o' knowin : that's what yo ha' doon ; An' thank ye for it ! But yo canna think 815 All thai could mak' me different : Bless your heart ! Why, onny menseful woman sich as me 'Ud feel like Ah do, what a thing it is To maate hersel wi' sich a mon as yo. But wat, Ah've doon it, an' Ah sticks to it, 820 An' thankful too. Eh, Master ! dunna think As Ah forget what yo ha' bin to me. An' always will be 1 But Ah says again, Ah mun joost love ye i' my own poor way, An' not i' your way. Ah can be a wife, 825 But not a equal — niver ! " He look'd grave 36 ANN MORGAN'S LOVE He kiss'd her fondly, but he still look'd grave, And answer'd nothing. And they both went home. She had her way ; of course she had her way. How could he keep her in his own large house, 830 Drest as a servant, waiting on his guests, Yet known to be his wife ? But, after all, How noble, how unselfish, her resolve ! What other woman in a class like hers Would do as she did ? Married to a man 835 So much above her ; raised in name and rank To his own level ; he himself prepared To give her all the pleasures and the toys That women care for, and the envied stj^le Of lady — envied most of all by those 840 Her former fellows, on whose hum.ble toils She might look down, herself attended now By other servants ; all this pageantry Was hers by right ; but she would none of it ; Disdainfully, with philosophic scorn, 845 She put it wholly from her : and for what ? Why, for her husband and her nobler self. Should she forsake her class, and seem to say She was no longer one of them ? Not she I She knew their labours and their homely life, 850 And knew no other : she would be to him ANN MORGAN'S LOVE 37 Companion ? Yes, if he would make her one ; But most of all, a minister for love, As she had been for wages. No one else Could so secure the comfort of his home 855 And keep his dwelling cleanly ; no one else Knew all his habits and his daily wants As she did ; should she leave to other hands All that her own hands had been wont to do So long and so intently ? Could she bear 860 A stranger housemaid or an alien cook, Another maid of all work like herself, To come between her and her proper place, And do her duties, while she left her sphere To play at prettiness, and entertain 865 Folk who despised her ? No ! her honest heart Revolts at such a thought, and doubly warms Toward the coarse apron and the cotton frock And servant's cap, that she had always worn. And would wear, will he nill he, to the end. 870 Not even he, the Master whom she loved. Should keep her longer from that lowly work For which God made her. That was her resolve. And he ? He listen'd with a varying mind To these her arguments : not stated thus, 875 Oh no ! but with affectionate respect, 38 ANN MORGAN'S LOVE And meek determination, day by day Impress'd on him, in many an antique phrase Of peasant utterance : " Thee bist so gain," She fondly said, tutoyani him for once, 880 << Sure lie, thee's catch'd mah meanin ! " So he had ; He tried her practice by his theories, And silently confess'd that she was right. How such a husband could with such a wife Live openly, in permanence and peace — S85 That was the problem : they so much unlike. And yet so wholly passionately one In heart and feeling ; not a single cloud To dim the humble heaven of their love. He put the case, and thus he answer'd it : 890 Around him were accumulated stores Of art and learning ; pictures, porcelain, books ; The heritage of ages : and to her All these were unintelligible things, Which she could keep in order, dust, and clean, 395 But scarcely even wish to understand. She did now wish it, though ; she dearly long'd To understand her Master, and improve Her simple self; nor could his ample stores. And all the circle of his wellbred friends, 900 Even were they willing, help toward that result ANN MORGAN'S LOVE 39 So much as he could, singly. That was clear, Because her only stimulus was her love. And after all, what were such things as these That he could give her — money, pleasure, power, 905 And what the fools call culture — what were these, Compared with her one gift, self-sacrifice That would not be refused ? Self-sacrifice Means Love ; and Love has no competitor, Being supreme of all things ; absolute, 910 Immortal, self-existent, uncreate. Ah yes ! All that is proper — in a creed ; But should such stately epithets as those Be lavish'd on a woman of the herd And her poor fatuous passion ? He was sure 915 The world would call it fatuous ; and would ask What credit is it, to a drudge like her, That she prefers her drudgery, and declines To be what she has sense enough to know She never can be ? Such an estimate 920 Was false ; he knew it ; but he also knew They did not know her, and they never would. Then, why regard such judges ? Prejudiced, Incompetent, unable to decide For lack of evidence 1 But, he himself — 925 Was he unprejudiced, and competent ? 40 ANN MORGAN'S LOVE ■ Was he not blinded, as most lovers are, By her mere beauty, and disposed by it To think too well of her capacity For learning, and her willingness to learn ? 930 But then, he had his evidence of that. In what she had learnt ; and to test her love By her intelligence, by her degree Of understanding and companionship, Were cruel, and irrelevant. For her 935 He ought to do what she had done for him ; And Conscience gave the word : self-sacrifice. What was she doing, when the doctor came And saw and talk'd with her ? She had been sent Beforehand, to make ready in the house 940 And garden, for his group of thoughtful friends Who spent with him the spring and summer there, Rambling by day, and far into the night Talking of things as much beyond the scope Of her small outlook, as their full bright lives 945 Were loftier than so poor a life as hers. She did make ready ; even the housekeeper Confess'd reluctantly, yet still confess'd, That Ann had done what she was told to do As well as could be, for a wench like her. 950 Each year she earn'd her strict superior's praise For work like this ; and, living by herself — ANN MORGAN'S LOVE 41 A staid and trusted damsel, left alone To do the rougher labour, and prepare For that high dame, whose educated skill 955 Would mould her awkward efforts into forms Fit for the Master — she had leave from him To see her own acquaintance in the town Freely, and help them at their little trade. For they sold fish ; and she behind the stall 960 Would stand on market days, with civil tongue And modest smile attracting customers : Youths of the place, uncomfortably shy. Who dipp'd their morsels in the vinegar, And ate, and came again, to look at her. 965 Such was her life ; and every year till now She had been happy, when the Master came, Waiting on him and on his visitors ; And happier, when no visitors were there, Waiting on him alone. Contract the scene : 970 Omit the friends, remove the housekeeper. And change the place of dwelling : was not that A fair solution — a superlative ? Peace for himself, and paradise for Ann ! There is a village in the Bradwyn Hills, 975 That looks on Albany, and often sees The broad moon shining over Elsley Mere. 42 ANN MORGAN'S LOVE There was she born ; and there, each man and maid Knew who she was ; and many too had seen Her wedding with the Master. "Ann," he said, 980 " How would you hke to Uve at Burlinghope ? " " Eh ! " she repHed, and in her calm blue eyes A soft light gleam 'd, and as her manner was She threw her arms abroad in ecstasy — " Eh, Master, that 'ud be the very thing ! 985 At least, if yo could like it. Bless your heart ! Why, Ah can be myself, at Burlinhope ; Ah canna be nowt else. A pretty thing. For me to goo on different, an' pertend To be a laady, when oor Jim lives theer, 990 An' Polly, an' the rest on 'em ! Ah think " — She added, with a meditative look — " 'At Ah could help 'em wi' the stall, a bit. An' stand the market, like Ah used to do. If yo would let me." With a hearty laugh 995 He answer'd " Oh yes 1 I should like it well. To see you standing there behind your stall. In your hood bonnet and your cotton frock And clean white apron, dealing out your wares To all chance comers, at the village fair ! 1000 I would come too, and claim you as my own : ANN MORGAN'S LOVE 43 To me you would be nobler far, dear Ann, Selling your honest penn'orths openly Thus in the street, and in your own poor dress. Than some I know of, who are not ashamed 1005 To flirt and flutter through a gay bazaar Vending kiss'd bouquets, all for charity." She did not understand : how should she know That bouquet means a posy, and that vend Is much the same as selling ? So at once loio She said : " Ah winna do it, Master dear, If yo can think it shaames yo ; but Ah know It's me as shaames yo, if theer's owt to shaame ! " " You do not shame me, dear," her husband said ; " No, nor your kindred, nor your meanest work. 1015 You should not think so, and you need not fear That I shall ever think so. Burlinghope Knows me, and knows that you are now my wife ; And that's enough." " Aye, that's enoogh," she said ; " The folks all know I are your servant still, 1020 And yo my Master : that's the best on it ! " "Well, we will tell them we are coming, then. You shall go first, and stay with brother Jim, 44 ANN MORGAN'S LOVE And choose a cottage ; mind, a pretty one ; A cottage with a garden and a view." 1025 '< Aye, an' a yard ! Ah always Hke a yard, For wood an' cawls ; a yard wi' bricken floor. An' room to stoomp aboot i' pattens in, An' twirl a mop ; an' it mun have a sink, To save the kitchen, for my washin oop ! " 1030 He raised his eyebrows : " Fair enthusiast ! " Said he, "your tastes are sound and practical, Your requisitions just. It will be joy, To see you on your pattens in that yard. Trundling your mop ! Of all domestic feats, 1035 I love to see the misty water rise, Like a wet aureole, from the swiftspun mop Twirl'd by a hearty woman, such as you. Upon a round red rustic arm, like yours. Therefore, fm'a cara sposa, take carte blanche, 1040 And have your wishes gratified." She stared ; And look'd at him with grave reproachful eyes : " Master, Ah lay yo're makin' gaame o' me, Wi' them fine words ; an' it's too bad o' you ! Yo should speak jannock, to a simple wench 1045 As talks her own plain talk, an' has naw sense To skill sich words as them ! " " You're right, my lass, ANN MORGAN'S LOVE 45 And I was wrong. I love your country talk, And when I hear it, something eggs me on To grace it with a contrast and a foil, 1050 By using words as long as asses' ears. Which pedants have invented. Never mind : I only meant that you should have your wish — A cottage with a yard." " Aye Sir, that's it : Owd Mary's cottage had a yard like that, 1055 An' her'U be dead by now : Ah'll ax oor Jim. When mun Ah goo ? " " To-morrow, if you like ; The early train." *' Aye, but it's carrier's day : He'll tak' me in his cart to Albany, An' then Ah'll walk ; it inna far to Jim's." 1060 " Well — but your luggage ? " " Looggage ? Bless your heart ! What do Ah want wi' looggage ? Ah shall weer A workin aapron, under ; an' for things — Why, broosh an' cawmb ; stockins ; a shift or two ; A neetgoon ; an' mah cotton bonnet ; theer — 1065 That's looggage I Yan blew cotton handkercher 'Ull hold 'em all. It inna mooch to loog, For me, 'at's carried sacks ! " " My dear," said he. 46 ANN MORGAN'S LOVE And vainly strove to hide his curious smile — "All this is vulgar. If my sister comes, 1070 Don't tell her how you travel I " " Eh, mah word ! Her Laadyship 'ull niver nawtice me, Let alone speak. But sure, at Burlinhope, Yo winna want your sister ? " " No, indeed I Ann, yott will have to be my sister there, 1075 And wife, and friends, and everything. You see How large your duty is," '' Aye, Sir, Ah see ! " She said ; and sigh'd, and laid her glowing cheek Against his knee : " Yo keep on sayin that. To me, as knows na' moor o' folks like yourn, 1080 Nor if Ah was a baaby ! Ah do wish " She added, looking fondly up at him, " 'At Ah could be like all on 'em at onst ; But yo mun learn me how." " I will," he said, And stroked her hair ; "You'll learn, at Burlinghope." 1085 She went : alone, and in the carrier's cart. And with her bundle in the handkerchief. She stay'd at brother Jim's ; and help'd them there. Cleaning and cooking, feeding fowls and pigs ; ANN MORGAN'S LOVE 47 And fetching water from the village well, 1090 In that hood bonnet which she dearly loved, Because he loved it ; and because the poor — The labourers' wives, the servants, of the place, Wore it, as she did. And the neighbours came. And saw her ring, and wonder'd that her hands 1095 Were still so rough, and she herself so plain In dress and manners, talking as of old Just as they all did : and at last, they said " Why, Ann, your Master is a gentleman ; *' Yo've got to be a laady ! " " Have I, though ? " 1100 Cried she, her blue eyes blazing out at them — " Have I ? Joost wait till Ah've got sattled, then, An' yo shall see ! If he's a gentleman. An' weds a workin wench, t/iai^s not to say As wedlock turns him to a workin mon, 1105 Nor her into a laady 1 " Presently, She took that cottage with the lovely yard ; A cottage with a garden, and a view That looks on Albany, and sees at night The full moon risen over Elsley Mere. II 10 And then she wrote a letter ; it was this : — " Dear Master, Jim have took it, what I said, Owd Mary's cottage. Her's bin dead an' gone Too year this Crismas. An' it's very nice ; 48 ANN MORGAN'S LOVE An' oh, the yard is butifull ! An' now 1 1 15 I'll tell yo, I ha' clean'd it all mysel ; IVe swep the floors an' scrubb'd 'em, an' the stares. And black'd the graats, an' done the witewashin. An' clean'd the paint ; an' Polly's a poor tool, But her an' me has paper'd all your room, 1 120 Your parler, an' I hope yo'U like it. Sir, An' here's a bit, to show yo. Me an' Jim Have done the gardin, an' theer's goosberies An' taters, an' I reckon it'll do. By what he say, till spring, or welly that ; 1125 An' then I'll dig it. An' I think that's all ; An' Polly send her duty, likewise Jim ; An' me, I sends my love an' duty too. An' so no moor at presant, but I are Yor faithful wife an' lovin servant, Ann. 1 130 P.S. Yo'll plese to send the furnicher, An' carpits. I'll be redy for the men. An' I shall heeve the things an' put 'em strate, Yo may depend. An' then, yo'll coom yoursell, Thafs best of all as cooms to me, my dear." 1135 How did it strike him, such a love-letter From such a wife ? His far superior skill In letters, and the posture of his mind Toward learning and the arts ; the social force ANN MORGAN'S LOVE 49 That placed him where he was, and made him feel, 1 140 What educated men should always feel Toward ignorance : not hatred, not contempt, But courteous condescension ; did not these Cause him to wince at her endearing words Misspelt and badly written ; and thereby 1 145 Make him ashamed of his own love for her. And of a love like hers ? He certainly Smiled, even laugh'd a little, as he read ; But having read, he kiss'd the blotted page And look'd at it intently, as he said 1150 "This letter is the outcome of herself : Unconsciously pathetic I Why, her words. Her childish writing, her untutor'd phrase, Her spelling — what are these, but evidence That in her lie diviner purposes 1 155 Than she can utter ; feelings more intense Than she can put in words ; a character Beyond mere words ? It is the analogue Of human souls ; which have within themselves More than they know. Her letter is a tale 1 160 Of lowly woman's lowliest work ; obscure, Uncouth, unsightly ; yet exalted far Above the highest work that is not done From motives such as hers. She works for love ; D 50 ANN MORGAN'S LOVE A woman's love, that scorns to be repaid 1 165 Except by love. All honour, all reward, All public recognition of her name As link'd with mine, are nothing : what she wants. Her own poor labour gives her, in the joy Of sacrifice, of self-abandonment, 1170 Of pure, devoted, unregarded toil For him to whom she gives herself: for ;«;'n- .-'■*« < - ». «i". "^- 'iVf ;■ i