The Centipede

I've often watched you, centipede,
And I can't think however
You manage those long rows of feet --
You must be very clever.

You seem to do it all so pat,
Without a slip or jumble;
If I could play my scales like that
Mamma would never grumble.

Compared with you I feel a dunce,
But then, of course, it may be
You did not learn it all at once
When you were but a baby,

So I may hope, dear centipede,
That there's a good day coming,
When I shall play long runs with speed
Instead of slowly strumming.