Or through the equinoctials blowing blind,

Or at cold milking-time when dawns are red

And birds awake and I remain in bed.

Not so the miner! Though his private life

Is blameless and his soul is pure and brave;

Although he gives his wages to his wife

And spanks his children when they don't behave;

Though rather than incur industrial strife

He takes the cash and lets the Bolshy rave,

He is condemned to toil in mines and galleries,