Poems of Cheer/Two sat down

Two sat down in the morning time, One to sing and one to spin. All men listened the song sublime - But no one listened the dull wheel's din.

The singer sat in a pleasant nook, And sang of a life that was fair and sweet, While the spinner sat with a steadfast look, Busily plying her hands and feet.

The singer sang on with a rose in her hair, And all men listened her dulcet tone; And the spinner spun on with a dull despair Down in her heart as she sat alone.

But lo! on the morrow no one said Aught of the singer or what she sang. Men were saying: "Behold this thread," And loud the praise of the spinner rang.

The world has forgotten the singer's name - Her rose is faded, her songs are old; But far o'er the ocean the spinner's fame Yet is blazoned in lines of gold.