Excuse is needless when with love sincere
Of occupation, not by fashion led,
Thou turn’st the Wheel that slept with dust o’erspread;
My nerves from no such murmur shrink,–tho’ near,
Soft as the Dorhawk’s to a distant ear,
When twilight shades darken the mountain’s head.
Even She who toils to spin our vital thread
Might smile on work, O Lady, once so dear
To household virtues. Venerable Art,
Torn from the Poor! yet shall kind Heaven protect
Its own; though Rulers, with undue respect,
Trusting to crowded factory and mart
And proud discoveries of the intellect,
Heed not the pillage of man’s ancient heart.
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