How many times these low feet staggered,
Only the soldered mouth can tell ;
Try !  can you stir the awful rivet ?
Try !  can you lift the hasps of steel ?

Stroke the cool forehead, hot so often,
Lift, if you can, the listless hair ;
Handle the adamantine fingers
Never a thimble more shall wear.

Buzz the dull flies on the chamber window ;
Brave shines the sun through the freckled pane ;
Fearless the cobweb swings from the ceiling —
Indolent housewife, in daisies lain !