Back of my back, they talk of me, br Gabble and honk and hiss; br Let them batten, and let them be- br Me, I can sing them this: br br "Better to shiver beneath the stars, br Head on a faithless breast, br Than peer at the night through rusted bars, br And share an irksome rest. br br "Better to see the dawn come up, br Along of a trifling one, br Than set a steady man's cloth and cup br And pray the day be done. br br "Better be left by twenty dears br Than lie in a loveless bed; br Better a loaf that's wet with tears br Than cold, unsalted bread.