THE BEGGAR

THE BEGGARBY JAMES W. FOLEY

BY JAMES W. FOLEY

ALWAYS beside me as I go my wayThis beggar, Time, walks with his outstretched palms,Demanding, not beseeching, of me alms—Alms of the precious hours of my day.So side by side we walk until my dayIs growing dusk, and Time’s purse of the yearsHolds alms of mine, bright-jeweled with my tears,Since I have given these treasured hours away.Nor from his swollen purse will he give meOne hour, although with spendthrift song and gayI flung him alms, nor ever said him nay.A beggar and a miser both is he!

ALWAYS beside me as I go my wayThis beggar, Time, walks with his outstretched palms,Demanding, not beseeching, of me alms—Alms of the precious hours of my day.So side by side we walk until my dayIs growing dusk, and Time’s purse of the yearsHolds alms of mine, bright-jeweled with my tears,Since I have given these treasured hours away.Nor from his swollen purse will he give meOne hour, although with spendthrift song and gayI flung him alms, nor ever said him nay.A beggar and a miser both is he!

ALWAYS beside me as I go my wayThis beggar, Time, walks with his outstretched palms,Demanding, not beseeching, of me alms—Alms of the precious hours of my day.

ALWAYS beside me as I go my way

This beggar, Time, walks with his outstretched palms,

Demanding, not beseeching, of me alms—

Alms of the precious hours of my day.

So side by side we walk until my dayIs growing dusk, and Time’s purse of the yearsHolds alms of mine, bright-jeweled with my tears,Since I have given these treasured hours away.

So side by side we walk until my day

Is growing dusk, and Time’s purse of the years

Holds alms of mine, bright-jeweled with my tears,

Since I have given these treasured hours away.

Nor from his swollen purse will he give meOne hour, although with spendthrift song and gayI flung him alms, nor ever said him nay.A beggar and a miser both is he!

Nor from his swollen purse will he give me

One hour, although with spendthrift song and gay

I flung him alms, nor ever said him nay.

A beggar and a miser both is he!


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