The Two Boys
Mary Lamb
1764 to 1847
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I saw a boy with eager eye
Open a upon a stall,
And read as he’d devour it all;
Which when the stall-man did espy,
Soon to the I heard him call,
‘You, Sir, you never buy book,
Therefore in one you shall not look.’
boy passed slowly on, and with a sigh
He he never had been taught to read,
Then of old churl’s books he should have had no need.
sufferings the poor have many,
Which never can the annoy.
I soon perceived another boy
Who looked as he’d not had any
Food for that day at least, enjoy
The sight of cold meat in a tavern larder.
This boy’s case, thought I, is surely harder,
Thus longing, thus without a penny,
Beholding choice of dainty meat;
No wonder if he wish he ne’er had to eat.