The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1870-01-18
Who Wrote the Beggar's Petition :

Who Wrote the Beggar's Petiiiont
This question was raised, some two or
three years ago, by the Press" and
several papers attempted a reply. Pos
sibly it was supposed to have been settled
by the reference TO Il young clergyman of
the Episcopal church in the north Of Eng
land. by the name Of Raymond. Such
man did preach there in the first part of
the seventeenth century, of very fine tai
ents and breathing very good spirit.
Bnt little is now known of him, and so
little perhaps that at present his claim to
the authorship Of this poem cannot
be established. For while after the
discussion of the subject referred to, il was
not doubted but the matter was settled
About year ago the subject was again
referred to,in the presence Of an English
man now resident in this state, who is 4
ripe scholar, and well posted in British
literature, and he expressed decided
doubt as to the authorship claimed for it..
The poem itself is performance of rare
merit. Not that it is a specimen of nice
poetic skill although in this regard, it is
no inferior production, but the sentiments
therein expressed are tender, and find a
response in every feeling heart.
The bcggars description of himself is
modest, and the source of his sorrow are
so tendcrly narrated that it is thought no
young man could have initiated so finely,
a sentiment he could not have felt. The
supposed author referred to, died at the
age of thirty eight. A young man of
high moral sentiments would resent with
high Indignation the villany, but father
only could have portrayed in such subdued
oppressive eloquence the story of ruined
daughter The alusion to farm house
standing on an eminence, little distance
from the road where
Plenty residence has found
And grnndcura magnificent abode
Could have been made by no human
being who had not had the experience of
beggar whom pampered menial had
driven from the door.
The description Of wife who had died
of broken heart, is apparently related
by one who sat by her dying bed and
who felt in his heart all the agony of dis
pair. The poem as whole, pals upon
our feelings as we read, and teaches us
finally to feel another's woe. Here is the
poem CYpHAx.
The Beegais Petition.
Pity the .oiiows Of poor old inan
Whose trembling limbs have borne him To
your door,
Whose days are dvindled to the shortest span;
Oh give relief and Heaven will bless your
store
II ese tattered oiothee my poverty be-reak,
These hoaiy locks proclaim my heightened years
And many turrow in my griei. worn cheek
Has been the channel to a food of tears
You house erected on the rising ground,
With tempting aspect, draw Inc from my road
fcr plenty there residence has found
And grandeur magnificent abode.
Hard i the fate Of the nirn aud poor
Here as eraved morsel Of their bread
pampered 'uenial drove me FROM tue door.
To seek 81 elter in a humble she'd
Oh take me TO your hosptable dome:
Keen blows tn, wind and piercing is tue cold
Short is my pass, ge to the friendly tomb
For am poor and mi-crably old
Should reveal The sources OF my grici
If soft humanity Ger touched your breast,
Your hands wouli not Withhold the kind relief
And tears Of Pity would not BE- rcprcst.
Heaven sends isiortunes, why should We repine ,
It's Heaven has brought me to the state you see,
And your condition may be soon like mine
A child of sorrow and Of misery
a little farm was my paternal lot
Then like the lark l sprightly hald the morn
But, ah oppression forced me from my cot,
Ny cattle died and blighted wa. my corn
My daughter, once the comfort of my age.
Lurcd by villain from her native home,
Is cast, abandoned on the worlds wide stage
And doomed in scanty poverty 10 roam
My tender wife, soother OF my eaie,
Struck with sad anguish AT the stern decree,
Fell, lingering fell, victim 70 despair
And left the world TO wretchedness and me
Pity the sorrdws Of Il poor old man,
Whose trembling limbs have borne him 10 yonr
door,
Whose days are d,yindled IN the shortes, sno,.
Oh give relief, and Heaven will bless your store