Complacent in his profitable mask.

They mocked his horror, but they gave to him

From the brief wealth of pay-night, and went in

To the cheap laughter and the tawdry thoughts

Thrown on the screen; in to the seeking hand

Covered by darkness, to the luring voice

Of Horror, boy-masked, whispering of rings,

Of silks, of feathers, bought—so cheap!—with just

Their slender starved child-bodies, palpitant

For beauty, laughter, passion—that is life: