Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper/Volume 18/Number 450/The Old Beggar
THE OLD BEGGAR.
BY ERNEST TREVOR.
I.
There was an old and crippled man
Who sat a begging, where
It was my wont each morn to pass
In weather foul or fair.
He seemed so steeped in woe and want,
I thought, as I passed by,
That it would be a happy thing
For such a man to die!
For in the scorching sun or rain,
When wintry blasts are keen,
In scanty garb and tattered boots
This wretched man was seen.
So that whene'er I passed the spot
And saw this beggar nigh,
I inly said, "A happy thing
For such a man to die!"
II.
It was upon the Sabbath morn
When church bells cheerly ring,
To summon all, both old and young,
To praise our Heavenly King,
That as with contrite steps and sad
To prayer I slowly trod,
This ppor old man was also bent
Churchward to praise his God.
But what a change! his face was bright
And he was cleaner dressed;
His step had thankful life in it—
His spirit seemed at rest.
And 'twas my chance that morn to sit
Near to him in the aisle;
And now and then I saw his face,
And caught his kindling smile.
His voice was full of thankfulness,
Praise came with every breath,
And in his look I saw the hope
That triumphs over death.
And thus rebuked, with wiser thought
I said, half audibly,
"Great Father! what a happy thing
For such a man to die!"