Vagabonds.

Vagabonds.

Thou must not for one moment falsely think
The raggêd, unwash’d, and unkempt must be
The sterling friends of poor humanity;
Or they who drown their faculties in drink
Are fit to lead an arduous emprise. 5
Riches, ’t is true, are apt to lull the soul
In sensual pleasures; they too much control
All nations, so the peoples never rise
To the true height of manhood’s dignity.
The good, through suffering, learn to sympathise 10
With all who suffer; they are truly wise:
The vile are harden’d by adversity;
And should prosperity be ever theirs,
Will never seek to ease a fellow-mortal’s cares.

George Markham Tweddell
p. 51 [in Miscellaneous Sonnets]