A Street Riot

Poor, hapless souls! at whom we stand aghast,
As at invading armies sweeping by -
As strange to haggard face and desperate cry -
Did we not know the worm must turn at last?
Poor, hungry men, with hungry children cast
Upon the wintry streets to thieve or die -
Suffering your wants and woes so silently -
Patient so long - is all your patience past?

Are there no ears to hear this warning call?
Are there no eyes to see this portent dread?
Must brute force rise and social order fall,
Ere these starved millions can be clothed and fed?
Justice be judge. Let future history say
Which are the greatest criminals to- day.