Mary Ainge De Vere

The Spinner

THE SPINNER twisted her slender thread
As she sat and spun:
“The earth and the heavens are mine,” she said,
“And the moon and sun;
Into my web the sunlight goes,        
And the breath of May,
And the crimson life of the new-blown rose
That was born to-day.”

The spinner sang in the hush of noon
And her song was low:        
“Ah, morning, you pass away too soon,
You are swift to go.
My heart o’erflows like a brimming cup
With its hopes and fears.
Love, come and drink the sweetness up        
Ere it turn to tears.”

The spinner looked at the falling sun:
“Is it time to rest?
My hands are weary,—my work is done,
I have wrought my best;        
I have spun and woven with patient eyes
And with fingers fleet.
Lo! where the toil of a lifetime lies
In a winding-sheet!”