Belsarius was ordered to have his eyes put out, and was reduced to a homeless beggar.

Blind Belsarius

Belsarius was ordered to have his eyes put out, and was reduced to a homeless beggar.

"A Dervish is a Mohammedan monk or religious fanatic, who makes a vow of poverty and austerity of life. There are several orders, some living in monasteries, some as hermits, and some as wandering mendicants. Some, called dancing dervishes, are accustomed to spin or whirl themselves round for hours at a time, till they work themselves into a state of frenzy, when they are believed to be inspired."—(Charles Leonard-Stuart, 1911)

Dervish

"A Dervish is a Mohammedan monk or religious fanatic, who makes a vow of poverty and austerity of life.…

A scene from the story, "All Things are as Fate Wills."

Fate Wills

A scene from the story, "All Things are as Fate Wills."

A scene from the story, "All Things are as Fate Wills."

Fate Wills

A scene from the story, "All Things are as Fate Wills."

A scene from the story, "All Things are as Fate Wills."

Fate Wills

A scene from the story, "All Things are as Fate Wills."

A scene from the story, "All Things are as Fate Wills."

Fate Wills

A scene from the story, "All Things are as Fate Wills."

A scene from the story, "All Things are as Fate Wills."

Fate Wills

A scene from the story, "All Things are as Fate Wills."

A scene from the story, "All Things are as Fate Wills."

Fate Wills

A scene from the story, "All Things are as Fate Wills."

Scene from "The Measure of Rice."

King and Beggar

Scene from "The Measure of Rice."

An illustration of a monk giving a poor beggar a bowl of food on the steps of the monastery.

Monastery Gate

An illustration of a monk giving a poor beggar a bowl of food on the steps of the monastery.

"A poor man here is asking for relief, / The full-fed, portly man appears quite deaf; / He's humbly pleading - see the poor creature; / The big man before him grows still deafer; / Alas! how passing strange does this appear, / None are so deaf as those that will not hear. / Of those whose vision's dim, where'er they be, / None are so blind as those who will not see."—Barber, 1857

None so Deaf as Those That Won't Hear

"A poor man here is asking for relief, / The full-fed, portly man appears quite deaf; / He's humbly…

"Now there was a certain rich man, and he was clothed in purple and fine linen, faring sumptuously every day: and a certain beggar named Lazarus was laid at his gate, full of sores, and desiring to be fed with the crumbs that fell from the rich man's table; yea, even the dogs come and licked his sores." Luke 16:19-21
<p>Illustration of a beggar named Lazarus on the ground outside a rich man's home. His crutches are on the ground beside him and a dog is licking his foot. A large, decorative vase is sitting on the stoop.

Beggar Named Lazarus Outside the Rich Man's Gate

"Now there was a certain rich man, and he was clothed in purple and fine linen, faring sumptuously every…

"Now there was a certain rich man, and he was clothed in purple and fine linen, faring sumptuously every day: and a certain beggar named Lazarus was laid at his gate, full of sores, and desiring to be fed with the crumbs that fell from the rich man's table; yea, even the dogs come and licked his sores." Luke 16:19-21 ASV
<p>Illustration of the rich man, sumptuously clothed in robes and eating a feast with many guests. A harpist  plays in the background. Men and women eat and drink. There are arched windows in the background and an arched entryway leading to stairs. On the stairs is Lazarus, a beggar. Dogs are licking at his sores and his arms are raised in a gesture of begging.

Lazarus, the Beggar, and the Rich Man

"Now there was a certain rich man, and he was clothed in purple and fine linen, faring sumptuously every…

"But Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but what I have, that give I thee. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk. And he took him by the right hand, and raised him up: and immediately his feet and his ankle-bones received strength." Acts 3:6-7 ASV
<p>Illustration of Peter holding the hand of a lame beggar. The man has just been healed and is standing. His left ankle is bound and he carries a crutch over his shoulder. A woman standing next to Peter is holding an infant. Several onlookers are visible in the image.

Peter Heals a Lame Beggar

"But Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but what I have, that give I thee. In the name of Jesus…

"But Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but what I have, that give I thee. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk. And he took him by the right hand, and raised him up: and immediately his feet and his ankle-bones received strength." Acts 3:6-7 ASV
<p>Illustration of Peter and John walking up the temple steps and approaching a lame beggar. Peter has a halo over his head and reaches his right arm out over the beggar's head. The beggar looks up and reaches for Peter. He is holding his hat in his hand and his crutch has fallen on the steps. A woman holding a baby and walking with a small child ascends the stairs (left).

Peter Heals a Lame Beggar at the Temple

"But Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but what I have, that give I thee. In the name of Jesus…

Illustration of a bustling street fair in France during the 13th century. Numerous people crowd the streets, selling and buying various wares. In the foreground, a crippled man on a cart begs passersby. A young man in traditional medieval dress, carries a package and shovel. A dog passes beside him. Performers put on show on a stage in the background. To the right, a man carries bolts of cloth, a man hammers something, and a boy plays with a puppet.

A Street Fair in 13th Century France

Illustration of a bustling street fair in France during the 13th century. Numerous people crowd the…

"A barefooted beggar cares not a fig for the income tax." -Trowbridge, 1866

Tax Rebus

"A barefooted beggar cares not a fig for the income tax." -Trowbridge, 1866