The Beggar. A Song.

by Henry Fielding (1707–1754) English

I.

   WHILE cruel to your wishing slave,
You still refuse the boon I crave,
Confess, what joy that precious pearl
Conveys to thee, my lovely girl?

II.

   Dost thou not act the miser's part,
Who with an aching, lab'ring heart,
Counts the dull joyless shining store,
Which he refuses to the poor?

III.

   Confess then, my too lovely maid,
Nor blush to see thy thoughts betray'd;
What, parted with, gives heav'n to me;
Kept, is but pain and grief to thee.

IV.

   Be charitable then, and dare
Bestow the treasure you can spare;
And trust the joys which you afford
Will to yourself be sure restor'd.

Source: Wikisource

More poems by Henry Fielding

The Roast Beef of Old England

When mighty roast beef was the Englishman’s food,
It ennobled our hearts, and enrichèd our blood;
Our soldiers were brave, and our courtiers were good. …
To Euthalia. Written in the year 1728.

BURNING with love, tormented with despair,
Unable to forget or ease his care;
In vain each practis'd art Alexis tries; …
To Miss H-and At Bath. Written extempore in the pump-room, 1742.

SOON shall these bounteous springs thy wish bestow,
Soon in each feature sprightly health shall glow;
Thy eyes regain their fire, thy limbs their grace, …
“A hunting we will go”

The Dusky night rides down the sky,
And ushers in the morn:
The hounds all join in glorious cry, …

All poems by Henry Fielding → · More English poems →

The Beggar. A Song.

More poems by Henry Fielding

The Roast Beef of Old England

To Euthalia. Written in the year 1728.

To Miss H-and At Bath. Written extempore in the pump-room, 1742.

“A hunting we will go”