 | Reuben and Other Poems |  |
THE STREET SINGERS.
A threadbare workman with a wife and row
Of shivering children singing in the street,—
Discord that sadly fills the heart, although
The thing may be a cheat.
Of shivering children singing in the street,—
Discord that sadly fills the heart, although
The thing may be a cheat.
253
Better be cheated and let no doubt start,
About the man's mock-miserable condition;
Better believe his plaint than have your heart
Contracted by suspicion.
About the man's mock-miserable condition;
Better believe his plaint than have your heart
Contracted by suspicion.
Give him your penny and believe him true;
The ways of Providence are wisely dim;
Your alms may purchase the reward for you,
The punishment for him.
The ways of Providence are wisely dim;
Your alms may purchase the reward for you,
The punishment for him.
'Tis well to keep your charity awake,
To run a thousand risks of being cozen'd,
And hold your heart still open for the sake
Of one among the thousand.
To run a thousand risks of being cozen'd,
And hold your heart still open for the sake
Of one among the thousand.
| Reuben and Other Poems | |