I never bought a young gazelle, To glad me with its soft black eye, But, when it came to know me well, 'Twas sure to butt me on the sly. I never drilled a cockatoo, To speak with almost human lip, But, when a pretty phrase it knew, 'Twas sure to give some friend a nip. I never trained a collie hound To be affectionate and mild, But when I thought a prize I'd found, 'Twas sure to bite my youngest child. I never kept a tabby kit To cheer my leisure with its tricks, But, when we all grew fond of it, 'Twas sure to catch the neighbor's chicks. I never reared a turtle-dove, To coo all day with gentle breath, But, when its life seemed one of love, 'Twas sure to peck its mate to death. I never -- well I never yet -- And I have spent no end of pelf -- Invested money in a pet That didn't misconduct itself. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A SONG OF ETERNITY IN TIME by SIDNEY LANIER THE HARD TIMES IN ELFLAND; A STORY OF CHRISTMAS EVE by SIDNEY LANIER THE GREAT RACE PASSES by EDGAR LEE MASTERS SONG OF THE OPEN COUNTRY by DOROTHY PARKER |