Poems (Cromwell)/The Beggar
THE BEGGAR
Showing his ill-made frame And mumbling of troubles many, Along a public street, The cripple calls for a penny.
Inviting sympathy, By his rags and his withered arm. He follows and frets till we argue A penny can do him no harm. .......Just now, in this intimate room, Sagacious, clever and witty, Exposing his hardships, a Beggar Beckoned his friends for pity.
Ugh! By displaying his pains, By showing his heart was ashen, By revealing his twisted life, He played for a glance of compassion.
Strange how I longed to laugh; His feebleness was funny. I thought: "He's only a Beggar And affection is golden money.
"Scorn will do for this Beggar, And a smile will send him away; I will keep my love for One Who may need my love some day.
"I will keep my love for One Who is brave and ashamed of tears: The importunity Of silence reaches my ears;—
"Life on its lonely way Moving on lonely wings, And the mute mind, alone With dark imaginings."
I thought, "I will keep my love,— I will keep my tenderness, For One who is piteous, Hiding his loneliness."