The wandering beggar is invited in to rest a while…While the women work, he is given some warm soup and food…After eating, and ready to move on, the beggar thanks his hostess and sings her a song in appreciation of her kindness..*




I wander
day and night
in the woods and hills
and I lay my weary body to rest
in cave or below trees

I eat berries
and fruit and drink water
of the free rivers;
for meat I am content
with what I may scavenge
in the bins after
market hours

Ah, the homeless
are my friends
in the streets and gutters;
and I compete with beasts and bears
for shelter
in the forests and woods

One might say,
I am like a hermit
or recluse
except those are quite free of misery
and choose to go that way
whereas with me
this is my condition

But for all beings
the sun does shine
and chance does
provide sustenance
and time offers kindness
as I found in your heart today,
dearest lady;
and so I take my leave
with a poor man’s blessings
for you, your man and your children


and so, kind soul,
I take my leave now
and where I go next I do not know;
but may Time keep you well
as I wander
day and night
in the woods and hills
and as I put my weary body to rest
in cave or below trees
remembering always
your kindness today