What noise of viols is so sweet As when our merry clappers ring? What mirth doth want when beggars meet? A beggar's life is for a king. Eat, drink, and play, sleep when we list, Go where we will -- so stocks be missed. Bright shines the sun; play, beggars, play! Here's scraps enough to serve to-day. The world is ours, and ours alone; For we alone have world at will. We purchase not -- all is our own; Both fields and streets we beggars fill. Bright shines the sun; play, beggars, play! Here's scraps enough for to-day. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE SAD SONG, FR. THE CAPTAIN by JOHN FLETCHER SONG OF THE CHATTAHOOCHEE by SIDNEY LANIER A BIRTHDAY by CHRISTINA GEORGINA ROSSETTI INDEPENDENCE by HENRY DAVID THOREAU TRAVELLING GIPSIES by CHARLES BAUDELAIRE ON THE BIRTHDAY OF WASHINGTON by JOHN GARDINER CALKINS BRAINARD |