English poem
Vi
by John Stephen Farmer (1854–1916)
When Boys do come to us, and their Intent is To follow our Calling, we ne'er bind 'em 'Prentice; Soon as they come to 't, we teach them to do 't, And give them a Staff and a Wallet to boot; We teach them their Lingua, to crave and to cant, The Devil is in them if then they can want. And he or she, that a Beggar will be, Without any Indentures they shall be made free.