London

The gorgeous stream of England's wealth goes by, Mixed with the mud and refuse, as of old — The hungry, homeless, naked, sick and cold; Want mocked by waste and greedy luxury. There, in their downy carriage- cushions, lie Proud women whose fair bodies have been sold And bought for coronet or merchant gold — For whose base splendours envious maidens sigh. Some day the social ban will fall on them — On wanton rich who taunt their starving kin; Some day the social judgment will condemn These “wedded harlots” in their shame and sin. A juster world shall separate them then From all pure women and all honoured men.