Quoth he: “This is true labour’s pride.”
Then other women sorely bent,
Beneath their burdens passed along;
Yet spoke they gaily as they went,
Or softly hummed a quiet song:
And some bore children, some their load
A failing sister’s pack increased.
Then thought Sir Self: “With whip and goad,
These women were like laden beast!”
The shambling, reeking suburb through,