Broken Beggar's Bowl Poem by Michel Galiana

Never in life otherwise fed
Than on transient pity's bread;
Frost gnawing at your swaying bones;
Rags that your nudity won't hide;
Possessed by ulcer and by lice...
Yet, if surges barbarity,
You won't be saved by poverty.
Arrogant pauper, what's the use
Of your bragging of this confused
Life time that was all spent in vain,
Failing an earthly wealth to gain?

L'ECUELLE BRISEE

Il mendia toute sa vie le crouton jeté par pitié.
Le froid rongea ses os qui ne le portaient plus,
Les haillons qui ne cachaient plus sa nudité.
L'ulcère et les poux installèrent leurs empires...
Et toutefois quand les barbares surgiront,
Sa misère ne le sauvera pas.
Pauvres et arrogants, que vous sert-il de paonner?
Inutile la vie qui ne sut amasser l'obole.