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