As I calmly sat and span, br br Toiling with all zeal, br Lo! a young and handsome man br br Pass'd my spinning-wheel. br br And he praised,--what harm was there?-- br br Sweet the things he said-- br Praised my flax-resembling hair, br br And the even thread. br br He with this was not content, br br But must needs do more; br And in twain the thread was rent, br br Though 'twas safe before. br br And the flax's stonelike weight br br Needed to be told; br But no longer was its state br br Valued as of old. br br When I took it to the weaver, br br Something felt I start, br And more quickly, as with fever, br br Throbb'd my trembling heart. br br Then I bear the thread at length br br Through the heat, to bleach; br But, alas, I scarce have strength br br To the pool to reach. br br What I in my little room br br Span so fine and slight,-- br As was likely. I presume-- br br Came at last to light.