2.4.11. Mendicancy
1051 When those you find from whom ’tis meet to ask,- for aid apply; Theirs is the sin, not yours, if they the gift deny. If you meet with those that may be begged of, you may beg; (but) if they withhold (their gift) it is their blame and not yours.
1052 Even to ask for alms may pleasure give, If what you ask without annoyance you receive. Even begging may be pleasant, if what is begged for is obtained without grief (to him that begs).
1053 The men who nought deny, but know what’s due, before their face To stand as suppliants affords especial grace. There is even a beauty in standing before and begging of those who are liberal in their gifts and understand their duty (to beggars). 127
1054 Like giving alms, may even asking pleasant seem, From men who of denial never even dream. To beg of such as never think of withholding (their charity) even in their dreams, is in fact the same as giving (it oneself);
1055 Because on earth the men exist, who never say them nay, Men bear to stand before their eyes for help to pray. As there are in the world those that give without refusing, there are (also) those that prefer to beg by simply standing before them. 1056 It those you find from evil of ‘denial’ free, At once all plague of poverty will flee. All the evil of begging will be removed at the sight of those who are far from the evil of refusing.
1057 If men are found who give and no harsh words of scorn employ, The minds of askers, through and through, will thrill with joy. Beggars rejoice exceedingly when they behold those who bestow (their alms) with kindness and courtesy.
1058 If askers cease, the mighty earth, where cooling fountains flow, Will be a stage where wooden puppets come and go. If there were no beggars, (the actions done in) the cool wide world would only resemble the movement of a puppet.
1059 What glory will there be to men of generous soul, When none are found to love the askers’ role? What (praise) would there be to givers (of alms) if there were no beggars to ask for and reveive (them).
1060 Askers refused from wrath must stand aloof; The plague of poverty itself is ample proof. He who begs ought not to be angry (at a refusal); for even the misery of (his own) poverty should be a sufficient reason (for so doing).
2.4.12. The Dread of Mendicancy
1061 Ten million-fold ’tis greater gain, asking no alms to live, Even from those, like eyes in worth, who nought concealing gladly give. Not to beg (at all) even from those excellent persons who cheerfully give without refusing, will do immense good. 128
1062 If he that shaped the world desires that men should begging go, Through life’s long course, let him a wanderer be and perish so. If the Creator of the world has decreed even begging as a means of livelihood, may he too go abegging and perish.
1063 Nothing is harder than the hardness that will say, ‘The plague of penury by asking alms we’ll drive away.’ There is no greater folly than the boldness with which one seeks to remedy the evils of poverty by begging (rather than by working).
1064 Who ne’er consent to beg in utmost need, their worth Has excellence of greatness that transcends the earth. Even the whole world cannot sufficiently praise the dignity that would not beg even in the midst of destitution.
1065 Nothing is sweeter than to taste the toil-won cheer, Though mess of pottage as tasteless as the water clear. Even thin gruel is ambrosia to him who has obtained it by labour.
1066 E’en if a draught of water for a cow you ask, Nought’s so distasteful to the tongue as beggar’s task. There is nothing more disgraceful to one’s tongue than to use it in begging water even for a cow.
1067 One thing I beg of beggars all, ‘If beg ye may, Of those who hide their wealth, beg not, I pray.’ I beseech all beggars and say, “If you need to beg, never beg of those who give unwillingly.”
1068 The fragile bark of beggary Wrecked on denial’s rock will lie. The unsafe raft of begging will split when it strikes on the rock of refusal.
1069 The heart will melt away at thought of beggary, With thought of stern repulse ’twill perish utterly. To think of (the evil of) begging is enough to melt one’s heart; but to think of refusal is enough to break it.
1070 E’en as he asks, the shamefaced asker dies; Where shall his spirit hide who help denies? Saying “No” to a beggar takes away his life. (but as that very word will kill the refuser) where then would the latter’s life hide itself ? 129