Page:The cry for justice - an anthology of the literature of social protest. - (IA cryforjusticea00sinc).pdf/183

 In the Strand

(English poet and critic, born 1865)

With eyes and hands and voice convulsively She craves the bestial wages. In her face What now is left of woman? whose lost place Is filled with greed's last eating agony. She lives to be rejected and abhorred, Like a dread thing forgotten. One by one She hails the passers, whispers blindly; none Heeds now the voice that had not once implored Those alms in vain. The hour has struck for her, And now damnation is scarce possible Here on the earth; it waits for her in hell. God! to be spurned of the last wayfarer That haunts a dark street after midnight! Now Shame's last disgrace is hot upon her brow.

The Bridge of Sighs

(See page 59)

One more Unfortunate Weary of breath, Rashly importunate, Gone to her death!

Take her up tenderly, Lift her with care; Fashion'd so slenderly, Young, and so fair!