And bright light and disinfectants are the fads of skunks and moles,
Then poor souls in cellar-dwellings and in jerry-builders' dens,
Will be smart as young canaries and as clean as clucking hens.
Nocky Spriggings guyed me proper, in his chuckly sorter style,
With his thumb 'ooked orful hartful, and his chickaleary smile.
"Jim," sez he, "wot price your jabber? Do yer think the blooming blokes
Cares a cuss for me and you, Jim, any more than for our mokes?
"Shut yer face, you pattering josser! Dirt and Drink is good for Rents!
If the Poor wos clean and sober, where 'ud be their cent-per-cents?
If it's Public 'Ouse 'gainst Wash 'Ouse, if it's Slumland wersus Swipes,