English Poetry. Thomas Love Peacock. Rich & Poor; or Saint & Sinner. Томас Лав Пикок.

Thomas Love Peacock (Томас Лав Пикок)

Rich & Poor; or Saint & Sinner

The poor man's sins are glaring;
In the face of ghostly warning
He is caught in the fact
Of an overt act---
Buying greens on a Sunday morning.

The rich man's sins are hidden
In the pomp of wealth and station;
And escape the sight
Of the children of light,
Who are wise in their generation.

The rich man has a kitchen,
And cooks to dress his dinner;
The poor who would roast
To the baker's must post,
And thus becomes a sinner.

The rich man has a cellar,
And a ready butler by him;
The poor man must steer
For his pint of beer
Where the saint can't choose but to spy him.

The rich man's painted windows
Hide the concerts of the quality;
The poor can but share
A crack'd fiddle in the air,
Which offends all sound morality.

The rich man is invisible
In the crowd of his gay society;
But the poor man's delight
Is a sore in the sight,
And a stench in the nose of piety.

Thomas Love Peacock’s other poems:

1. The Round Table or, King Arthur’s Feast
2. Quintetto
3. The Lady, the Knight, and the Friar
4. Duet
5. Terzetto

To the dedicated English version of this website

---