C.D. Warner, et al., comp. The Library of the World’s Best Literature.
An Anthology in Thirty Volumes. 1917.

The Ornament

THE LUCKY world shewed me one day

Her gorgeous mart and glittering store,

Where with proud haste the rich made way

To buy, the poor came to adore.

Serious they seemed, and bought up all

The latest modes of pride and lust;

Although the first must surely fall,

And the last is most loathsome dust.

But while each gay, alluring ware,

With idle hearts and busie looks,

They viewed,—for idleness hath there

Laid up all her archives and books,—

Quite through their proud and pompous file,

Blushing, and in meek weeds arrayed,

With native looks which knew no guile,

Came the sheep-keeping Syrian maid.

Whom strait the shining row all faced,

Forced by her artless looks and dress;

While one cryed out, We are disgraced!

For she is bravest, you confess.