BEGGAR TO BEGGAR CRIED

‘ Time to put off the world and go somewhere

And find my health again in the sea air,’

Beggar to beggar cried, being frenzy-struck,

‘ And make my soul before my pate is bare.’

‘ And get a comfortable wife and house

To rid me of the devil in my shoes,’

Beggar to beggar cried, being frenzy-struck,

‘ And the worse devil that is between my thighs.’

‘ And though I'd marry with a comely lass,

She need not be too comely — let it pass,’

Beggar to beggar cried, being frenzy-struck,

‘ But there's a devil in a looking-glass.’

‘ Nor should she be too rich, because the rich

Are driven by wealth as beggars by the itch,’

Beggar to beggar cried, being frenzy-struck,

‘ And cannot have a humorous happy speech.’

‘ And there I'll grow respected at my ease,

And hear amid the garden's nightly peace,’

Beggar to beggar cried, being frenzy-struck,

‘ The wind-blown clamor of the barnacle-geese.’