Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE BEETLE by HANIEL (CLARK) LONG

Poet Analysis

First Line: I SAW A BEETLE ON MY KNEE
Last Line: SPOKE THE BEETLE ON MY KNEE.

I saw a beetle on my knee
As I lay basking by a tree,
And this is what he said to me:

Since you ask me of the Lotus,
May this oak-tree not misquote us;
I the Scarab am, of old
Gold and green, and green and gold.
Let the chariots speed away,
Clamor lasts for but a day,
While the peace the Scarab gives
Murder and its god outlives.
Egypt wore me on her breast,
Pharaoh bore me as a crest.
Brief was Pharaoh's scarley way,
I am green and gold to-day.

Most delectably to me
By the green and golden tree,
Spoke the beetle on my knee.



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