Lessons of the Street + 

Walking through life’s dusty highways, + 

Mid the tramp of hurrying feet, + 

We may gather much instruction + 

From the “lessons of the street.” + 

Now a beggar sues for succor⁠— + 

Nay, repress that look of pride! + 

’Neath that wrecked and shattered body + 

Doth a human soul reside. + 

Here’s a brow that seems to tell you, + 

“I am prematurely old; + 

I have spent my youthful vigor + 

In an eager search for gold.” + 

On the cheek of yon pale student + 

Is a divorcement most unkind⁠— + 

’Tis the cruel separation + 

Of his body from his mind. + 

Here a painted child of shame + 

Flaunts in costly robes of sin, + 

With a reckless mirth that cannot + 

Hide the smouldering fires within. + 

And here’s a face, so calm and mild, + 

Mid the restless din and strife; + 

It seems to say, in every line, + 

“I’m aiming for a higher life.” + 

Just then I caught a mournful glance, + 

As on the human river rushed, + 

A harrowing look, which plainly said, + 

“The music of my life is hushed.” + 

Look on that face, so deathly pale, + 

Its bloom and flush forever fled: + 

I started, for it seemed to bear + 

A message to the silent dead. + 

Thus hurries on the stream of life, + 

To empty where Death’s waters meet; + 

We pass along, we pass away⁠— + 

Thus end the lessons of the street. + 