Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, MISPLACED SYMPATHY, by CHARLES FOLLEN ADAMS


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

MISPLACED SYMPATHY, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Little benny sat one evening
Last Line: "mamma, isn't gettin' any!"
Alternate Author Name(s): Strauss, Yawcob
Subject(s): Sympathy; Empathy


Little Benny sat one evening,
Looking o'er his picture-book:
Suddenly his mother noticed
On his face a troubled look.

He was gazing on a picture, --
"Christians in the early days,"
When the cruel tyrant Nero
Harassed them in various ways.

'Twas a family of Christians,
Torn by lions fierce and wild,
In the horrible arena,
Which had thus distressed the child.

Thinking it a golden moment
To impress his youthful mind
With our freedom, dearly purchased,
And by martyrs' blood refined,

His good mother told the story
Of their persecutions sore,
While he listened, all attention,
And the picture pondered o'er.

"See, my child, those hungry lions,
How upon the group they fall!
'Tis a sight, my precious darling,
That the bravest might appall."

Then, with little lip a-quiver,
"Mamma, look!" says little Benny:
"Little lion in the corner,
Mamma, isn't gettin' any!"






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