Human Nature

A beggar-man crept to my side
One bitter, wintry time;
"I want to buy a drink," he cried;
"Please give me, sir, a dime."
If he had craved this boon forlorn
To buy his family meat,
I would have passed him by in scorn,
And left him in the street.
I tossed a dollar in his hand,
And quoth, "As o'er your wine
Within the tippling-room you stand
Drink thou to me and mine."
He let an earnest "Thank ye" drop -
Then up the street he sped,
And rushed into a baker's shop,
And bought a loaf of bread!
I know not why it was, and yet,
So sudden was the blow,
I felt emotions of regret
That he had duped me so.
Yet, had the hungry beggar said
That he was sore in need
Of that necessity called "bread,"
What man would pay him heed?