Set a beggar on horseback, and he will ride a gallop. [Set a beggar on horseback, and he'll outride the Devil.]

Homer himself must beg if he want means, and as by report sometimes he did "go from door to door and sing ballads, with a company of boys about him."

To get thine ends, lay bashfulnesse aside; Who fears to aske, doth teach to be deny'd.

Set a beggar on horse backe, they saie, and hee will neuer alight.

A beggar through the world am I, From place to place I wander by. Fill up my pilgrim's scrip for me, For Christ's sweet sake and charity.

He who begs timidly courts a refusal. [Lat., Qui timide rogat, Docet negare.]