PLAYING BEGGARS.
135
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!
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.
