Select Poetry.

Thames Star, Volume XIII, Issue 4356, 16 December 1882, Page 1

Select Poetry.

THE SONG OF POVERTY. A jolly old fellow am I, my boys, All seasons to me are the same; Soft clothing and jewels are follies and toys, Which often are purchased with shame. Bad Luck and Miss Fortune, a long while ago, Were wod—as good people Bhould be j ; They loved one another, I'd have you to know, And lam their offspring, you see, ha! ha! And I am their offspring, you see. --.* . The Ghnrch and the State may connive.at my fell, , Their prayers and their laws won't avail; I'll have my^ existence iri spito of them all, And many true saints I'll assail. The bench may arrest me, condemn me as vile, And cover my body with scars; *, Then put mo in prison, but there I will smile, And boat a tattoo on the bars, ha ! ha! And beat % tattoo on the bars. The greatest of prophets, in speaking of me, Said : " The poor will be always with you." So make up your minds and bid brave charity And love do the most they can do. I'd rather be lord of the homeless and free Than Kaiser, Pope, Czar, or the King; They're always in danger of death, don't you see ? While lin my rags dance and sing, ha! ha ! While I in my rags dance and-sing.