Lives of Girls Who Became Famous

by Sarah Knowles Bolton

On her return, in 1870, a little book of Verses was published. Like most beginners, she was obliged to pay for the stereotyped plates. The book was well received. Emerson liked especially her sonnet, Thought. He ranked her poetry above that of all American women, and most American men. Some persons praised the "exquisite musical structure" of the Gondolieds, and others read and re-read her beautiful Down to Sleep. But the world's favorite was Spinning:--

"Like a blind spinner in the sun,
I tread my days;

I know that all the threads will run
Appointed ways;

I know each day will bring its task,

And, being blind, no more I ask.

* * * * *

"But listen, listen, day by day,
To hear their tread

Who bear the finished web away,
And cut the thread,

And bring God's message in the sun,

'Thou poor blind spinner, work is done."