Skip to main content
Poetry Foundation Homepage
Poetry magazine
June 2026Subscribe
Subscribe
June 2026Poetry May2026 cover RGB
Poetry Foundation Homepage
Poetry Foundation Homepage
Poetry Foundation
Poetry magazine
June 2026Subscribe
Subscribe
June 2026Poetry May2026 cover RGB
Poetry Foundation

There was an Old Man with a Beard

By Edward Lear
There was an Old Man with a beard,
Who said, "It is just as I feared!—
Two Owls and a Hen, four Larks and a Wren,
Have all built their nests in my beard.

Poem categories
Nature
Animals
Living
Growing Old
The Body
Relationships
Pets & Domestic Animals
Arts & Sciences
Humor & Satire
Verse Forms
Limerick
Anxiety & Insecurity
Humor
Joy & Contentment
Animals
Poet categories
1781-1900
Victorian
Europe
Northern Europe
England
  • Poems & Poets
    • Collections
    • Poem Guides
    • Poem of the Day
    • Poems
    • All Poems
    • Poets
    • All Poets
  • Topics & Themes
    • Adults
    • Children
    • Education
    • Educators
    • Glossary of Poetic Terms
    • Teens
  • Features
    • About the Magazine
    • Advertise with Poetry

    • Articles
    • Books
    • Podcasts
    • Poetry Magazine

    • Poetry Historical Index

    • Poetry Magazine Archive

    • Submit to Poetry

    • Subscriptions
    • Video
  • Grants & Programs
    • Awards
    • Events
    • All Past Events
    • Past Exhibitions
    • Grants
    • Library
    • Partnerships
    • Programs
  • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Give
    • Jobs
    • News
    • Our Team
    • Press Releases
    • Reports & Financials
    • Trustees
    • Visit
Poetry Foundation
FacebookInstagram
  • Contact Us
  • Newsletters
  • Press
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Poetry Mobile App
  • 61 West Superior Street,
    Chicago, IL 60654
  • © 2026 Poetry Foundation
See a problem on this page?