WVA-Beggars

Beggars

    She had a tall Man's height, or more;
    No bonnet screen'd her the heat;
    A long drab-colour'd Cloak she wore,
    A Mantle reaching to her feet;
    What other dress she had I could not know;
Only she wore a Cap that was as white as snow.

    In all my walks, through field or town,
    Such Figure had I never seen:
    Her face was of Egyptian brown:
    Fit person was she for a Queen,
    To lead those ancient Amazonian files:
Or ruling Bandit's Wife among the Grecian isles.

    Before me begging did she stand
    Pouring out sorrows like a sea;
    Grief after grief:--on English Land
    Such woes I knew could never be;
    And yet a boon I gave her, for the Creature
Was beautiful to see--a Weed of glorious feature!

    I left her, and pursued my way;
    And soon before me did espy
    A pair of little Boys at play,
    Chasing a crimson butterfly;
    The taller follow'd with his hat in hand,
Wreath'd round with yellow flow'rs. the gayest of the land.

    The Other wore a rimless crown,
    With leaves of laurel stuck about:
    And they both follow'd up and down,
    Each whooping with a merry shout;
    Two Brothers seem'd they, eight and ten years old;
And like that Woman's face as gold is like to gold.

    They bolted on me thus, and lo!
    Each ready with a plaintive whine;
    Said I, "Not half an hour ago
    Your Mother has had alms of mine."
    "That cannot be," one answered, "She is dead."
"Nay but I gave her pence, and she will buy you bread."

    "She has been dead, Sir, many a day."
    "Sweet Boys! you're telling me a lie;
    It was your Mother, as I say!"
    And, in the twinkling of an eye,
    "Come! come!" cried one, and without more ado,
Off to some other play they both together flew!