Brave men--I say it humble, Are common on English ground; Common as spires and chimneys Whenever you walk around; But the man of whom I'm thinking was brave with a bravery rare-- Ah! a hundred times rarer than rubies--in England or anywhere. I am thinking of a Brewer. This may take you by surprise! But the tale has fact to rest on, And is not a pack of lies. He was rolling rich and generous--generous to every one. A Brewer and a Gentleman, John Sidney Donaldson. He sent big cheques to Hospitals, And for Children's Holidays, And to Unemployed Relief Funds, And Homes for Waifs and Strays. He was kind to all poor people and meant to do 'em good! Though he knew but precious little about the neighbourhood In which the greatest number of his licensed houses stood! 'Twas the poorest part of London, Drink-riddled through and through, But his agents worked the business, And all John Donaldson knew Was how it looked on paper And the dividends he drew. He was Member for a County that was like a garden ground, For blossom and for beauty and for orchards smiling round. And you always found him willing, To open his Manor gates For Band of Hope rejoicings, And Sports, and Temperance Fêtes. When Parliament was sitting, It happened, one spring day, He visited his brewery. And strolling up that way-- Alone, and sort of curious to see what he would meet-- As he passed a gorgeous public, gilded and tiled complete, He saw a tipsy woman flung out into the street. The man who flung her savage, Went back inside the place; She fell upon the curb-stone And cut her head and face. And she wasn't more than thirty. 'I'll give that man in charge! Says John Donaldson a-blazing, for his heart was big and large, Too large to hurt a woman-- And then he went across To lift the tipsy creature, And I've heard him say--a Force Like twenty batteries struck him, and made his eyes see fire! For painted on the house-front was--DONALDSON'S ENTIRE! He looked up at the sign-board. The house was his own tied house. A new one--not long opened-- And called 'The Running Grouse.' He'd meant to call that man out. He'd meant to make a row. And send for a policeman--but he couldn't do it now. Something rose up and held him. The crowd that ran to stare, Said the woman's home was handy, so he helped to take her there,