‘ Time to put off the world and go somewhere
And find my health again in the sea air,’
Beggar to beggar cried, being frenzy-struck,
‘ And make my soul before my pate is bare.’
‘ And get a comfortable wife and house
To rid me of the devil in my shoes,’
Beggar to beggar cried, being frenzy-struck,
‘ And the worse devil that is between my thighs.’
‘ And though I'd marry with a comely lass,
She need not be too comely — let it pass,’
Beggar to beggar cried, being frenzy-struck,
‘ But there's a devil in a looking-glass.’
‘ Nor should she be too rich, because the rich
Are driven by wealth as beggars by the itch,’
Beggar to beggar cried, being frenzy-struck,
‘ And cannot have a humorous happy speech.’
‘ And there I'll grow respected at my ease,
And hear amid the garden's nightly peace,’
Beggar to beggar cried, being frenzy-struck,
‘ The wind-blown clamor of the barnacle-geese.’