Between these
two views, at best, all temperate judgments will be found to
fall; and rather, as I imagine, towards the last.
There were two things on which he felt with perfect and, in
one case, even threatening sincerity.
The first of these was an undisguised envy of those richer
than himself. He was for ever drawing a parallel, already
exemplified from his own words, between the happy life of the
well-to-do and the miseries of the poor. Burns, too proud
and honest not to work, continued through all reverses to
sing of poverty with a light, defiant note. Beranger waited
till he was himself beyond the reach of want, before writing
the OLD VAGABOND or JACQUES. Samuel Johnson, although he was
very sorry to be poor, "was a great arguer for the advantages
of poverty" in his ill days. Thus it is that brave men carry
their crosses, and smile with the fox burrowing in their
vitals. But Villon, who had not the courage to be poor with
honesty, now whiningly implores our sympathy, now shows his
teeth upon the dung-heap with an ugly snarl. He envies
bitterly, envies passionately. Poverty, he protests, drives
men to steal, as hunger makes the wolf sally from the forest.
The poor, he goes on, will always have a carping word to say,
or, if that outlet be denied, nourish rebellious thoughts.
It is a calumny on the noble army of the poor.
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