The Two Boys
Mary Lamb
1764 to 1847
Track 1
Reconstruct the poem by dragging each line into its correct position. Your goal is to reassemble the original poem as accurately as possible. As you move the lines, you'll see whether your arrangement is correct, helping you explore the poem's flow and meaning. You can also print out the jumbled poem to cut up and reassemble in the classroom. Either way, take your time, enjoy the process, and discover how the poet's words come together to create something truly beautiful.
Easy Mode - Auto check enabled
'You, Sir, you never buy a book,
Which never can the rich annoy.
The boy passed slowly on, and with a sigh
Of sufferings the poor have many,
Thus hungry longing, thus without a penny,
He wished he never had been taught to read,
This boy's case, thought I, is surely harder,
I soon perceived another boy
Therefore in one you shall not look.'
Beholding choice of dainty dressed meat;
Soon to the boy I heard him call,
Then of the old churl's books he should have had no need.
Who looked as if he'd not had any
Which when the stall-man did espy,
And read as he'd devour it all;
Food for that day at least, enjoy
I saw a boy with eager eye
The sight of cold meat in a tavern larder.
Open a book upon a stall,
No wonder if he wish he ne'er had learned to eat.