OUR PETS. 171 



TO FLUSH, MY DOG. 



I. 

 Loving friend, the gift of one 

 Who her own true faith has run 



Through thy lower nature, 

 Be my benediction said 

 With my hand upon thy head. 



Gentle fellow-creature ! 



II. 

 Like a lady's ringlets brown, 

 Flow thj^ silken ears adown 



Either side demurely 

 Of thy silver-suited breast, 

 Shining out from all the rest 



Of thy body purely. 



III. 

 Darkly brown thy body is, 

 Till the sunshine striking this 



Alchemise its dulness ; 

 When the sleek curls manifold 

 Flush all over into gold, 



With a burnish'd fulness. 



IV. 



Underneath my stroking hand. 

 Startled eyes of hazel bland 



Kindling, growing larger, 

 Up thou leapest with a spring. 

 Full of prank and curveting. 



Leaping like a charger. 



V. 



Leap ! thy broad tail waves a light. 

 Leap ! thy slender feet are bright, 

 Canopied in fringes ; 



