A SAD CHILDREN'S POEM OF 1871 ABOUT THE HAVES AND THE HAVE-NOTS

Abstract

The middle years of Victoria's reign are characterized by a submerged England of wretched children depicted so forcefully and unforgettably by Dickens. The poem below published in 1871 illustrates the acceptance of the comforts of life by the few who are especially selected by the Lord. For the poor beggar boy life can offer nothing but misery for which he was predestined and which he is expected to accept as his fate.

The Beggar Boy

A poor boy went by with raiment all torn; He looked, too, so dirty and very forelorn: His coat was in tatters, no shoes on his feet; And they ached with the cold on the stones of the street.

Poor boy! no kind father or mother has he; Nor has he a nice house at home as have we; He begs all the day for a morsel of bread, And perhaps sleeps at night in a comfortless shed.

He has no kind friends to instruct him and guide, And he hears what is sinful, and sees it beside: Oh, how good and how thankful I then ought to be, To the God who has given these good things to me!¹