I went into a house of many lofts,

And in each loft I saw a thousand men,

And women, too, and children, too, I saw.

And all around arose a deaf’ning roar—

The roaring of machines o’er which were bent

The toilers toiling at their tiresome task.

And as I stood and gazed upon this scene

I wondered why it was—I wondered why....

I went into a house of gilded halls,

And in each hall there shone a thousand lights,

And many men and women also shone.

Delightful music mingled with perfume.

Around luxurious tables, diners sat

Enjoying luscious viands, mellow wines.

And as I stood and gazed upon this scene,

I thought of toilers and I understood.