Found Absent.
Those Cornish pit-boys who made an escape
by stowing away in boats and enduring more
before hunger and fear drove them to pursue
help were often chained when found until port.
Sapped youth breathing coal dust knew pits
brought no relief to repressed working people.
Cheeriness left faces of labouring children when
led to belief that obedience preceded better zeal.
Caught and affronted their childhood ended
in grey automation by trudging mining floors.
Obsolete days fought with untouched intention
to doff clogs, wash off black and crawl no more.
Gained by stealth nearby docks gave children
sure ways to freedom but accession was vague.
Timetables to boys\' ready minds got deciphered
for runaways knew somewhere sat the right train.
By morning shift more lads were found absent
as read from rota capped faces saw gaps in line.
Some felt the hold toil\'s pittance paid to underage
but others wearily ready saw the need for goodbye.
But desperate pit-boys who made an escape
by stowing away in boats and enduring more
before hunger and dread drove them to decks
were shamefully handled after docking at port.