WHO' LL buy a little boy? Look , yonder is he, Fast asleep, sly rogue, on his mother's knee; So bold a young imp ' t is n't safe to keep So I'll part with him now, while he's sound asleep. See his arch little nose, how sharp ' t is curled, His wings, too, even in sleep unfurled; And those fingers, which still ever ready are found For mirth or for mischief, to tickle , or wound. He'll try with his tears your heart to beguile, But never you mind - he's laughing all the while; For little he cares, so he has his own whim, And weeping or laughing are all one to him. His eye is as keen as the lightning's flash , His tongue like the red bolt quick and rash; And so savage is he, that his own dear mother Is scarce more safe in his hands than another. In short, to sum up this darling's praise , He's a downright pest in all sorts of ways; And if any one wants such an imp to employ, He shall have a dead bargain of this little boy. But see, the boy wakes - his bright tears flow His eyes seem to ask could I sell him? oh no, Sweet child no, no- though so naughty you be, You shall live evermore with my Lesbia and me. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...AFTER THE QUARREL by PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR FRAGMENT (2) by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD SWORD AND BUCKLER; OR, SERVING-MAN'S DEFENCE: TO THE READER by WILLIAM BASSE EPITAPH ON A MOCK MARQUIS by ROBERT BURNS THE CANTERBURY TALES: THE MONK'S TALE by GEOFFREY CHAUCER TO AELIA; ODE by CHARLES COTTON |