Poems (Piatt)/Volume 1/Playing Beggars
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PLAYING BEGGARS.
"Let us pretend we are two beggars." "No,
For beggars are im——— something, something bad;
You know they are, because Papa says so,
And Papa when he calls them that looks mad;
You should have seen him, how he frowned one day,
When Mama gave his wedding-coat away."
For beggars are im——— something, something bad;
You know they are, because Papa says so,
And Papa when he calls them that looks mad;
You should have seen him, how he frowned one day,
When Mama gave his wedding-coat away."
"Well, now he can't get married any more,
Because he has no wedding-coat to wear.
But that poor ragged soldier at the door
Was starved to death in prison once somewhere,
And shot dead somewhere else, and it was right
To give him coats—because he had to fight.
Because he has no wedding-coat to wear.
But that poor ragged soldier at the door
Was starved to death in prison once somewhere,
And shot dead somewhere else, and it was right
To give him coats—because he had to fight.
"Now let's be beggars." "They're im—postors. Yes,
That 's what they are, im—postors; and that means
Rich people, for they all are rich, I guess—
Richer than we are, rich as Jews or queens,
And they're just playing beggars when they cry———"
"Then let us play like they do, you and I."
That 's what they are, im—postors; and that means
Rich people, for they all are rich, I guess—
Richer than we are, rich as Jews or queens,
And they're just playing beggars when they cry———"
"Then let us play like they do, you and I."
"Well, we 'll be rich and wear old naughty clothes."
"But they're not rich. If they were rich they'd buy
All the fine horses at the fairs and shows
To give to General Grant. I'll tell you why:
Once when the rebels wanted to kill all
The men in this world—he let Richmond fall!
"But they're not rich. If they were rich they'd buy
All the fine horses at the fairs and shows
To give to General Grant. I'll tell you why:
Once when the rebels wanted to kill all
The men in this world—he let Richmond fall!
"That broke them up! I like the rebels, though,
Because they have the curliest kind of hair.
One time, so many years and years ago,
I saw one over in Kentucky there.
It showed me such a shabby sword, and said
It wanted to cut off—Somebody's head!
Because they have the curliest kind of hair.
One time, so many years and years ago,
I saw one over in Kentucky there.
It showed me such a shabby sword, and said
It wanted to cut off—Somebody's head!
"But—do play beggar. You be one; and, mind,
Shut up one eye, and get all over dust,
And say this: +>'Lady, be so very kind
As to give me some water. Well, I must
Rest on your step, I think, ma'am, for a while———
I've walked full twenty if I've walked one mile.
Shut up one eye, and get all over dust,
And say this: +>'Lady, be so very kind
As to give me some water. Well, I must
Rest on your step, I think, ma'am, for a while———
I've walked full twenty if I've walked one mile.
"'Lady, this is your little girl, I know:
She is a beautiful child—and just like you;
You look too young to be her mother, though.
This handsome boy is like his father, too:
The gentleman was he who passed this way
And looked so cross?—so pleasant, I should say!
She is a beautiful child—and just like you;
You look too young to be her mother, though.
This handsome boy is like his father, too:
The gentleman was he who passed this way
And looked so cross?—so pleasant, I should say!
"'But trouble, Lady, trouble puts me wrong.
Lady, I'm sure you'll spare a dress or two—
You look so stylish. (O, if I was strong!)
And shoes? Yours are too small. I need them new.
The money———thank you! Now you have some tea,
And flour, and sugar, you'll not miss, for me?
Lady, I'm sure you'll spare a dress or two—
You look so stylish. (O, if I was strong!)
And shoes? Yours are too small. I need them new.
The money———thank you! Now you have some tea,
And flour, and sugar, you'll not miss, for me?
"'Ah, I forgot to tell you that my house
Was burned last night. My baby has no bread,
And I'm as poor, ma'am, as a cellar-mouse.
My husband died once; my grandmother's dead—
She was a good soul (but she 's gone, that 's true———
You have some coffee, madam?)—so are you.'"
Was burned last night. My baby has no bread,
And I'm as poor, ma'am, as a cellar-mouse.
My husband died once; my grandmother's dead—
She was a good soul (but she 's gone, that 's true———
You have some coffee, madam?)—so are you.'"
"Oh, it's too long. I can't say half of that!
I'll not be an im—postor, any how.
(But I should like to give one my torn hat,
So I could get a prettier one, just now.)
They re worse than Christians, ghosts, or—anything.
———I'll play that I'm a great man or a king."
I'll not be an im—postor, any how.
(But I should like to give one my torn hat,
So I could get a prettier one, just now.)
They re worse than Christians, ghosts, or—anything.
———I'll play that I'm a great man or a king."
1866.