A beggar died last night; his soul br Went up to God, and said: br 'I come uncalled, forgive it, Lord; br I died for want of bread.' br br Then answered him the Lord of heaven: br 'Son, how can this thing be? br Are not my saints on earth? and they br Had surely succoured thee.' br br 'Thy saints, O Lord,' the beggar said, br 'Live holy lives of prayer; br How should they know of such as we? br We perish unaware. br br 'They strive to save our wicked souls br And fit them for the sky; br Meanwhile, not having bread to eat, br (Forgive!) our bodies die.