Pocahontas and Other Poems (New York)/Statue of the Spinning Girl

by Lydia Huntley Sigourney

STATUE OF THE SPINNING GIRL,

AT CHATSWORTH, THE SEAT OF THE DUKE OF DEVONSHIRE.

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Spin on, most beautiful.
                                        There's none to mock
Thy simple labour here. Majestic forms
Of high renown, and brows of classic grace,
Whose sculptured features speak the breathing soul,
Rise in illustrious ranks, but not to scorn
Thy lowly toil.
                          Even so it was of old,
That woman's hand, amid the elements
Of patient industry and household good,
Reproachless wrought, twining the slender thread
From the light distaff, or in skilful loom
Weaving rich tissues, or with glowing tints
Of rich embroidery, pleased to decorate
The mantle of her lord. And it was well;
For in such shelter'd and congenial sphere
Content with duty dwelt.
                                           Yet few there are,
Sweet Filatrice, who in their earnest task
Find such retreat as thine, mid lordly halls,
And sparkling fountains, and umbrageous trees,
And parks far stretching, where the antler'd deer
Forget the hound and horn.
                                             And we, who roam
Mid all this grand enchantment—proud saloons,

And galleries radiant with the gems of art
And genius, ravish'd from the grasp of time—
And princely chapel, uttering praise to God—
Or lose ourselves amid the wildering maze
Of plants, and flowers, and blossoms, breathing forth
Their eloquence to Him—delighted lay
This slight memorial at thy snowy feet.