THE JOVIAL BEGGAR by ANONYMOUS

THERE was a jovial beggar,
He had a wooden leg,
Lame from his cradle,
And forced for to beg.
And a-begging we will go, will go, will go,
And a-begging we will go!

A bag for his oatmeal,
Another for his salt,
And a pair of crutches,
To show that he can halt.
And a-begging we will go—

A bag for his wheat,
Another for his rye,
A little bottle by his side
To drink when he's a-dry.
And a-begging we will go—

Seven years I begged
For my old Master Wild,
He taught me to beg
When I was but a child.
And a-begging we will go—

I begged for my master,
And got him store of pelf;
But now, Jove be praised!
I'm begging for myself.
And a-begging we will go—

In a hollow tree
I live and pay no rent—
Providence provides for me,
And I am well content.
And a-begging we will go—

Of all the occupations,
A beggar's life's the best,
For whenever he's a-weary,
He'll lay him down and rest.
And a-begging we will go—

I fear no plots against me,
I live in open cell;
Then who would be a king,
When beggars live so well?
And a-begging we will go, will go, will go,
And a-begging we will go!

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!

Other Poems of Interest...