Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE MARKET by JAMES STEPHENS

First Line: A MAN SAID TO ME AT THE FAIR
Last Line: WITH THE SIXPENCE -- DIRTY LOUT!
Subject(s): MARKETS; SUPERMARKETS;

A man said to me at the fair
-- If you have got a poet's tongue
Tumble up and chant the air
That the Stars of Morning sung:

-- I'll pay you, if you sing it nice,
A penny-piece. -- I answered flat,
-- Sixpence is the proper price
For a ballad such as that. --

But he stared and wagged his head,
Growling as he passed along
-- Sixpence! Why I'd see you dead
Before I pay that for a song. --

I saw him buy three pints of stout
With the sixpence -- dirty lout!



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