Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


A CHILD FOR SALE by MELEAGER

First Line: SELL HIM! THOUGH SNUGGLED AT HIS MOTHER'S BREAST
Last Line: STAY WITH ZENOPHILA AND I'LL NOT SELL YOU.
Subject(s): CHILDREN; CHILDHOOD;

SELL him! though snuggled at his mother's breast.
Sell him! why should I rear the little pest?
Snub-nosed, half-fledged, and, scratching all the while
he weeps the better to display his smile.
How can I rear a lynx-eyed chatterbox,
whose venom at his mother's guidance mocks?
The thing's a monster. Find a pedlar! Maybe
one leaving town at once will buy this baby!
But look! love pleads, he weeps. Nay! cease I tell you!
Stay with Zenophila and I'll not sell you.



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