POEMS.
91
And when downstairs again once more I crept,
Who met me first and to my sofa ran,
And licked my hand as there I laid and wept,
But you, my grateful little black and tan?
Who met me first and to my sofa ran,
And licked my hand as there I laid and wept,
But you, my grateful little black and tan?
Together always, never mind what fate,
True comrades! you may match me, if you can,
A friend like this, I care not what his state,
And I will love him like my black and tan!
True comrades! you may match me, if you can,
A friend like this, I care not what his state,
And I will love him like my black and tan!
Oh! little creature, dumb four-footed friend,
I think you shame us, we who are so wise,
And yet so weak and blindfold to the end,
As frail and fickle as the changeful skies.
I think you shame us, we who are so wise,
And yet so weak and blindfold to the end,
As frail and fickle as the changeful skies.
You shame us, for revenge you do not know,
But love one always though we beat you sore,
And speak harsh words, perchance with kick or blow,
And yet for each you seem to love us more.
But love one always though we beat you sore,
And speak harsh words, perchance with kick or blow,
And yet for each you seem to love us more.
Therefore, my friends, laugh on and fling your jest;
No matter, since we care not any way;
Lightly your words fall, and you know the rest,
That come what will, "a dog must have his day!"
No matter, since we care not any way;
Lightly your words fall, and you know the rest,
That come what will, "a dog must have his day!"
WILLIE BOY.
AND art thou fast asleep, my child, my fairest and my first,
Wrapped in the arms of Morpheus by unseen spirits nurst?
Wrapped in the arms of Morpheus by unseen spirits nurst?
