Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE COMPLAINTS OF THE POOR, by ROBERT SOUTHEY


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE COMPLAINTS OF THE POOR, by             Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: And wherefore do the poor complain?
Last Line: And these have answer'd thee!
Subject(s): Begging & Beggars; Experience; Pain; Poverty; Reason; Wealth; Suffering; Misery; Intellect; Rationalism; Brain; Mind; Intellectuals; Riches; Fortunes


AND wherefore do the poor complain?
The rich man asked of me;—
Come walk abroad with me, I said,
And I will answer thee.

'Twas evening and the frozen streets
Were cheerless to behold,
And we were wrapt and coated well,
And yet we were a-cold.

We met an old bare-headed man,
His locks were few and white,
I ask'd him what he did abroad
In that cold winter's night:

'Twas bitter keen, indeed, he said,
But at home no fire had he,
And therefore he had come abroad
To ask for charity.

We met a young bare-footed child,
And she begg'd loud and bold,
I ask'd her what she did abroad
When the wind it blew so cold;

She said her father was at home,
And he lay sick in bed,
And therefore was it she was sent
Abroad to beg for bread.

We saw a woman sitting down
Upon a stone to rest,
She had a baby at her back
And another at her breast;

I ask'd her why she loiter'd there,
When the night-wind was so chill;—
She turn'd her head and bade the child
That scream'd behind be still.

She told us that her husband served
A soldier, far away,
And therefore to her parish she
Was begging back her way.

We met a girl, her dress was loose,
And sunken was her eye,
Who with the wanton's hollow voice
Address'd the passers by;

I ask'd her what there was in guilt
That could her heart allure
To shame, disease, and late remorse?
She answer'd, she was poor.

I turn'd me to the rich man then,
For silently stood he,—
You ask'd me why the poor complain,
And these have answer'd thee!





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...
Home: PoetryExplorer.net