Seeking Employment.

*THE WORKER*

Brisbane  May 12, 1894

Seeking Employment.

Oh! the degradation,

Heart-weariness, vexation -

Toil, trouble, tribulation -

Of trying work to get!

To seek, and fail in finding,

While tears your eyes are blinding,

And grim Despair is winding

About your heart his net.

To beg, to plead – still failing -

At each refusal quailing;

With hunger's pangs assailing

Your weary heart and soul!

At ev'ning homeward lagging,

Each tired limb slowly dragging,

Your weary spirits flagging

And bosom filled with dole.

And then to nurse your sorrow

Until the dreaded morrow,

And vainly try to borrow

The comfort hope can give,

Oh! the degradation,

Heart-weariness, vexation -

Toil, trouble, tribulation -

Of begging leave to live!

                                                                  W. J. Clisham.