As wolfish waifs that haunt the slums of towns—
Is brute all through and ever; blatant, base,
"Rough" in his speech, and rascal in his face;
A radiant rowdy now when some base stroke
Of juggling skill has flushed him; now "stone-broke,"
Black-hearted, beetle-browed, true gaolbird type,
Reeling and reeking, ever ruffian-ripe
For any coward act of ruthless greed
That craft may scheme, or violence may speed.
Curse of the race-course and the cinder-path!