Below the Glass Ceiling An Ode

Forbears,Edie,Kate and Ann furnished apiece with brush and pan.Each Victorian 'Miss' tied in service's abyss.Far off days,now long gone,their toil each day was lengthy and long.With fires to light,floors to scrub,and carpets to brush and drub.Mops forbidden,as they smeared the dirt and begrimed their prim alpaca aproned skirt.They cleaned 'his' tub,emptied 'her' commode,a regular chore in a housemaid's daily load.Must rise at six but never to mix and no matter what,keep a stiff upper lip.Never lose your cool,a formal curtsey the perpetual rule.Half day off once per month,so free to roam and catch the omnibus home.No other opportunities in store except a marriage at eighteen or before.Upstairs and down stairs ,no in between,starting out at just thirteen and just there to please as Master and his Lady take their ease.