That should be a protection, one more load

To lade, and chafe, and vex.

No tired ox urged to tramping by the goad

Feels a more mutely-maddening weariness

Than we white, black-garbed spectral girls who stand

Stonily smiling on while ladies grand,

Easily seated, idly turn and toss

The samples; and our Watcher, 'neath the gloss

Of courtly smugness glaring menace, stalks

About us, creaking cruelty as he walks.