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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE BEGGAR'S LOOK, by JEAN RICHEPIN Poet's Biography First Line: The old tramp on the prowl for bread Last Line: Saw my guilt, and spake no lies. Subject(s): Begging & Beggars; Guilt | |||
THE old tramp on the prowl for bread Looked at me and nothing said, With his bony hand thrust out Suddenly, nor deigned to tout For my pity. Thankless, grim, He took the penny offered him. But his wolfish eyes of gray Spake to me. I heard them say, "Think you for a greasy brown I will let you tread me down? "You but show, with this mean dole Kindness to your own poor soul. "When you give me this round thing 'Tis yourself you're comforting. "Sharing thus your store of pelf, You owe thanks unto yourself. "A penny for an old man bowed! There's a deed to make you proud! "Proud's the day when you with pence Brand your brother's indigence! "For your penny, it were fit If I straightway spat on it. "Though I take and keep it whole, Think not I'll forgive the dole." Thus his gray eyes on me set Spake in a dumb alphabet. I looked back as mute as he Desperate in misery. Then I shut my purse and strode Like a felon down the road, Knowing well the old man's eyes Saw my guilt, and spake no lies. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...CASUALTY REPORT by PAUL MARIANI THE FEATHER AT BREENDONCK by LAURE-ANNE BOSSELAAR A LONG LINE OF DOCTORS by CAROLYN KIZER PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE MEDUSA by MARILYN NELSON THE DEBT by PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR |
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