THE BLIND BEGGAR’S APPEAL.
Just close your eyes and try to walk
Along the crowded thoroughfare;
And ask each passer-by for help,
Then know the insults I must bear.
I’m hungry, homeless, cold and sick.
I’ve groped around the livelong day;
No pitying word have I once heard,
No one has stopped me on my way
A little pittance to dole out
To me, who as a little child
Had mother love, and father’s care,
Enough to eat, enough to wear.
O God have pity! And now take
The poor blind beggar who does crave
Some resting place upon the earth;
E’en though that place should be the grave.
I seek some shelter from the cold;
Some place to lay my weary head.—
Some day I shall have covering warm,
But that will be when I am dead.
Sometime sweet flowers will cover me,
The grass grow green upon my grave.
My weary body will have rest,
My soul return to God who gave
The poor blind beggar rest at last,
A place to rest beneath the sod,
A covering of sweet flowers and grass.—
So patiently I’ll kiss the rod
Though it may scourge my body weak,
Though I be hungry, blind and poor,
I’ll bear my burdens patiently,
And thank my God that I them bore.