It was their religious duty to give alms to the poor.

施舍穷人是他们的宗教义务。

My hopes rose high and methought my evil days were at an end, and I stood waiting for alms to be given unasked and for wealth scattered on all sides in the dust.

我的希望高升，我觉得我苦难的日子将要告终，我站着等候你自动的施与，等掷在尘埃里的财宝。