Classic Poem

Night-lights are falling;
Girl of the street,
Go to your calling
If you would eat.
Lamplight and starlight
And moonlight superb,
Bright hope is a farlight,
So watch on the kerb.

Watch on the kerb,
Watch on the kerb;
Hope is a farlight; then watch on the kerb.

Comes a man: call him—
Gone! he is vext;
Curses befall him,
Wait for the next!
Fair world and bright world,
Life still is sweet—
Girl of the night-world,
Watch on the street.

Dreary the watch is:
Moon sinks from sight,
Gas only blotches
Darkness with light;
Never, O never
Let courage go down;
Keep from the river,
O Girl of the Town!