Sweet Briars of the Stairways

We are happy all the time
Even when we fight:
Sweet briars of the stairways,
Gay fairies of the grime;
WE, WHO ARE PLAYING TO-NIGHT.

"Our feet are in the gutters,
Our eyes are sore with dust,
But still our eyes are bright.
The wide street roars and mutters--
We know it works because it must--
WE, WHO ARE PLAYING TO-NIGHT!

"Dirt is everlasting.-- We never, never fear it.
Toil is never ceasing.-- We will play until we near it.
Tears are never ending.-- When once real tears have come;

"When we see our people as they are--
Our fathers--broken, dumb--
Our mothers--broken, dumb--
The weariest of women and of men;
Ah--then our eyes will lose their light--
Then we will never play again--
WE, WHO ARE PLAYING TO-NIGHT."