Page:The Writings of John Green Whittier (v.1).pdf/278

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NARRATIVE AND LEGENDARY POEMS.
On either hand we saw the signs Of fancy and of shrewdness,Where taste had wound its arms of vines Round thrift’s uncomely rudeness.
The sun-brown farmer in his frock Shook hands, and called to MaryBare-armed, as Juno might, she came, White-aproned from her dairy.
Her air, her smile, her motions, told Of womanly completeness;A music as of household songs Was in her voice of sweetness.
Not fair alone in curve and line, But something more and better,The secret charm eluding art, Its spirit, not its letter;—
An inborn grace that nothing lacked Of culture or appliance,—The warmth of genial courtesy, The calm of self-reliance.
Before her queenly womanhood How dared our hostess utterThe paltry errand of her need To buy her fresh-churned butter?
She led the way with housewife pride, Her goodly store disclosing,Full tenderly the golden balls With practised hands disposing.
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