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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

NURSERY RHYMES FOR THE TENDER-HEARTED (DEDICATED TO DON MARQUIS): 4 by CHRISTOPHER DARLINGTON MORLEY

Poet Analysis

First Line: I KNEW A BLACK BEETLE, WHO LIVED DOWN A DRAIN
Last Line: AND HE'LL NEVER COME BATHING WITH ME ANY MORE.
Subject(s): BEETLES; INSECTS; MARQUIS, DON (1878-1937); BUGS;
IV

I KNEW a black beetle, who lived down a drain,
And friendly he was though his manners were plain;
When I took a bath he would come up the pipe,
And together we'd wash and together we'd wipe.

Though mother would sometimes protest with a sneer
That my choice of a tub-mate was wanton and queer,
A nicer companion I never have seen:
He bathed every night, so he must have been clean.

Whenever he heard the tap splash in the tub
He'd dash up the drain-pipe and wait for a scrub,
And often, so fond of ablution was he,
I'd find him there floating and waiting for me.

But nurse has done something that seems a great shame:
She saw him there, waiting, prepared for a game:
She turned on the hot and she scalded him sore
And he'll never come bathing with me any more.



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