The Old Cumberland Beggar

MS. Variants, not inserted in Vol. I.

(l. 3) On a small pile of humble masonry Placed at the foot of …

(l. 24) He travels on, a solitary man. His age has no companion. He is weak, So helpless in appearance that, for him The sauntering horseman-traveller does not throw With careless hand his pence upon the ground But stops that he may lodge the coin Safe in the old man’s hat: nor quits him so, But as he goes towards him turns a look Sidelong and half-reverted.…

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