I saw a boy with eager eye <br />Open a book upon a stall, <br />And read as he'd devour it all: <br />Which when the stall-man did espy, <br />Soon to the boy I heard him call, <br />'You, sir, you never buy a book, <br />Therefore in one you shall not look.' <br />The boy passed slowly on, and with a sigh <br />He wished he never had been taught to read, <br />Then of the old churl's books he should have had no need. <br /> <br /> <br />Of sufferings the poor have many, <br />Which never can the rich annoy. <br />I soon perceived another boy <br />Who looked as if he'd not had any <br />Food for that day at least, enjoy <br />The sight of cold meat in a tavern-larder. <br />This boy's case, thought I, is surely harder, <br />Thus hungry longing, thus without a penny, <br />Beholding choice of dainty dressed meat: <br />No wonder if he wish he ne'er had learned to eat.<br /><br />Charles Lamb<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-two-boys/
