With little to wear, he had nothing to sell;
To beg was unlawful -- improper as well.

Why didn't he work?

He would even have done that,
But men said: "Get out!" and the State remarked: "Scat!"
I mention these incidents merely to show
That the vengeance he took was uncommonly low.
Revenge, at the best, is the act of a Siou,
But for trifles --

Pray what did bad Mendicant do?

Stole two loaves of bread to replenish his lack
And tuck out the belly that clung to his back.

Is that _all_ father dear?

There's little to tell:
They sent him to jail, and they'll send him to -- well,
The company's better than here we can boast,
And there's --

Bread for the needy, dear father?

Um -- toast.

Atka Mip