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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE BAD CHILD'S BOOK OF BEASTS: INTRODUCTION, by HILAIRE BELLOC Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: I call you bad, my little child Last Line: "and as the owl discreet." Alternate Author Name(s): Belloc, Joseph Hilaire Pierre Rene Subject(s): Animals; Cats | |||
I CALL, you bad, my little child, Upon the title-page, Because a manner rude and wild Is common at your age. The Moral of this priceless work (If rightly understood) Will make you—from a little Turk— Unnaturally good. Do not as evil children do, Who on the slightest grounds Will imitate the Kangaroo, With wild unmeaning bounds. Do not, as children badly bred, Who eat like little Hogs, And when they have to go to bed Will whine like Puppy Dogs: Who take their manners from the Ape, Their habits from the Bear, Indulge the loud unseemly jape, And never brush their hair. But so control your actions that Your friends may all repeat, "This child is dainty as the Cat, And as the Owl discreet." | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...HOW THE MIRROR LOOKS THIS MORNING by HICOK. BOB THE LONELY MAN by RANDALL JARRELL IN SEVERAL COLORS by JANE KENYON OPENING HER JEWEL BOX by WILLIAM MATTHEWS |
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