Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE BEGGAR, by WALT MASON


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE BEGGAR, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: The snow will soon be flying, the snow we
Last Line: Tea, and wonder why the county won't feed such skates as he.
Subject(s): Begging & Beggars; Charity; Poverty; Philanthropy


THE snow will soon be flying, the snow we love so well; in drifts it will be
lying along the hazel dell. The brawling winds will grip us, and give our ears a

biff, the morning frost will nip us, and make our whiskers stiff. But we who
toiled and panted preparing for this time, are cheerful and enchanted to see the

snow and rime. And now there is a comer to every worker's door—the man who

loafed all summer, and dodged the useful chore. The man who lounged and idled,
hard by the village kirk, and who in anger bridled, when he was asked to work.
In ancient, chestnut phrasin's, he asks for things to chaw, for liverwurst and
raisins, for pumpkin pies and slaw. His kids, in countless numbers, are
suffering for bread; his aunts are robbed of slumbers because they have no bed.

The same old whiskered story, you've heard for years and years, told by a sinner

hoary, with alligator tears! He profits by your bounty, you give him tripe and
tea, and wonder why the county won't feed such skates as he.





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