OUR PETS. 173 



This dog onlj', watch'd in reach 

 Of a faiutly-utter'd speech, 

 Or a louder sighing. 



xr. 

 And if one or twu quick tears 

 Dropp'd upon his glossy ears, 



Or a sigh came double, 

 Up he sprang in eager haste, 

 Fawning, fondling, breathing fast, 



In a tender trouble. 



XI r. 

 And this dog was satisfied 

 If a pale thin hand would glide 



Down his dewlaps sloping — 

 Which he push'd his nose within, 

 After platfonning his chin 



On the palm left open. 



xiir. 

 This dog, if a friendly voice 

 Call him now to blither choice 



Than such chamber-keeping. 

 Come out ! " praying from the door, 

 Presseth backward as before, 



Up against me leaping. 



XIV. 



Therefore to this dog will I, 

 Tenderly, not scornfully. 



Render praise and favour : 

 With my hand upon his head. 

 Is my benediction said, 



Therefore and for ever. 



XV. 



And because he loves me so. 



Better than his kind will do 



Often, man or woman ; 



