Ironic Poem About Prostitution

    By George Orwell (Eric Arthur Blair)

    When I was young and had no sense
    In far-off Mandalay
    I lost my heart to a Burmese girl
    As lovely as the day.

    Her skin was gold, her hair was jet,
    Her teeth were ivory;
    I said, “for twenty silver pieces,
    Maiden, sleep with me”.

    She looked at me, so pure, so sad,
    The loveliest thing alive,
    And in her lisping, virgin voice,
    Stood out for twenty-five.