Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, OF CHARITY, by ARTHUR WILLIAM SYMONS


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OF CHARITY, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: A beggar died last night; his soul
Last Line: "my son hath lived in vain!"
Subject(s): Begging & Beggars; Charity; Philanthropy


A beggar died last night; his soul
Went up to God, and said:
"I come uncalled, forgive it, Lord;
I died for want of bread."

Then answered him the Lord of heaven:
"Son, how can this thing be?
Are not my saints on earth? and they
Had surely succoured thee."

"Thy saints, O Lord," the beggar said,
"Live holy lives of prayer;
How should they know of such as we?
We perish unaware.

"They strive to save our wicked souls
And fit them for the sky;
Meanwhile, not having bread to eat,
(Forgive!) our bodies die."

Then the Lord God spake out of heaven
In wrath and angry pain:
"O men, for whom my Son hath died,
My Son hath lived in vain!"





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