He’ll beg for half-pence when he can,

And say he is a dying man;

But if three half-pence he has got,

He’ll go and find another sot.

As mean and shabby as himself,

A dirty, ragged, drunken elf,

In some alehouse corner seated,

Waiting longing to be treated.

They freely enter into chat,

If they can but catch a flat;