The Complaints of the Poor
Robert Southey
1774 to 1843
Track 1
Reconstruct the poem by dragging each line into its correct position. Your goal is to reassemble the original poem as accurately as possible. As you move the lines, you'll see whether your arrangement is correct, helping you explore the poem's flow and meaning. Take your time, enjoy the process, and discover how the poet's words come together to create something truly beautiful.
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The rich man asked of me,—
Come walk abroad with me, I said
She told us that her husband served
And sunken was her eye,
She said her father was at home
And we were wrapt and coated well,
And wherefore do the Poor complain?
She answer'd, she was poor.
And he lay sick a-bed,
When the wind it blew so cold;
Twas evening and the frozen streets
That could her heart allure
That scream'd behind be still.
When the wind it was so chill;
To ask for charity.
She had a baby at her back
Abroad to beg for bread.
To shame, disease, and late remorse?
And another at her breast;
Were cheerless to behold,
In that cold winter's night:
A soldier, far away,
Who with the wanton's hollow voice
She turn'd her head and bade the child
We met a girl; her dress was loose
I ask'd him what he did abroad
And she begg'd loud and bold,
I ask'd her what there was in guilt
And therefore to her parish she
For silently stood he,
And yet we were a-cold.
And therefore, he had come abroad
I turn'd me to the rich man then
We met an old bare-headed man,
Upon a stone to rest,
His locks were few and white,
Was begging back her way.
I ask'd her what she did abroad
We saw a woman sitting down
And therefore was it she was sent
And these have answer'd thee.
I ask'd her why she loiter'd there
We met a young bare-footed child,
'Twas bitter keen indeed, he said,
Address'd the passers by;
But at home no fire had he,
You ask'd me why the Poor complain,
And I will answer thee.