University of Virginia Library

ON THE PAVEMENT.

As on the pavement I am blindly borne,
And struggle with the busy stream of men,
I see the surface into eddies torn,
That toss and moan and pass beyond my ken;

739

And all a world of sin and suffering then,
As driving mists that blot the face of morn,
Breaks on my vision in a flood forlorn,
And sorrow seems the only citizen.
At every step I meet with misery's train,
While in each stone I read a page of pain,
And hear the story that is never old;
Yea, though the pathway be a tide of gold,
And every moment bring an age of gain,
I know that priceless hearts are bought and sold.