Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE STURDY BEGGAR, by WILLIAM MCQUEEN (1841-)


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE STURDY BEGGAR, by                    
First Line: I'm a beggar auld, fu' o' cracks an' canty
Last Line: I'm the only man, truly independent.
Subject(s): Begging & Beggars


I'M a beggar auld, fu' o' cracks an' canty,
Facing Boreas bauld wi' my step sae jaunty.
Wallets strung oot-owre ilka raggit shouther:
Baith in shine an' show'r I'm aye blythe and throu'ther.

Roving here and there, paying ne'er a lawin';
Reaping everywhere withoot the fash o' swain'.
Ne'er a care ha'e I, rowing aye in plenty;
Ilka ane lays bye for the beggar denty.

The rarer flow'rs o' life, let ithers sing their praises;
They're only got by strife, and I'm content wi' daisies.
I jink whaur ithers fecht, and troth I wadna niffer;
In bearing poortith's wecht it's this makes a' the differ.

A beggar's mode o' life is often viewed wi' scorning;
But ithers oot o' Fife can live and lauch by sorning.
And wherefore shouldna I be as proud o' my vocation
As ony noble high, wha fattens on the nation?

Singing o'er the lea, hirpling through the clachan;
It's a' the same to me -- banning, begging, lauchin',
Free o' ony plan, and a' the cares attendant;
I'm the only man, truly independent.





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