I passed a beggar in the street I didn't know what to do
A few yards on I stopped and thought to give him a bob or two.

He thanked me with a friendly sign, a thumb raised to his stubbled chin
And with a "Thank you sir" and a wave of his hand, he set off with a cheery grin

I crossed the road and began to think, when I was confronted with a "Sir pardon me,
That if you could spare a copper or two, I'd be much beholden unto thee."

I stopped again and with a sad sigh reached into my pocket again
I pulled out a coin copper it was which I slipped into his hopeful hand.

Not a word did he say as at the coin he looked, his conversation ended there and then
And left me back where I'd begun, wondering about my fellow men.