John Bartlett (1820–1905). Familiar Quotations, 10th ed. 1919.
Thomas Moss 1740-1808 John Bartlett
| 1 |
| Pity the sorrows of a poor old man, Whose trembling limbs have borne him to your door, Whose days are dwindled to the shortest span; Oh give relief, and Heaven will bless your store. |
| The Beggar. |
| 2 |
| A pampered menial drove me from the door. 1 |
| The Beggar. |
| Note 1. This line stood originally, “A liveried servant,” etc., and was altered as above by Goldsmith.—Forster: Life of Goldsmith, vol. i. p. 215 (fifth edition, 1871). [back] |