The Hare 95 



Epitaph on a Hare ^> ^^ <:> 



(Cowper had three tame hares — Bess, Tiney, 

 and Puss) 



HERE lies, whom hound did ne'er pursue. 

 Nor swifter greyhound follow ; 

 Whose foot ne'er tainted morning dew, 

 Nor ear heard huntsman's halloo. 



Tiney, the surliest of his kind ! 



Who, nursed with tender care, 

 And to domestic bounds confined. 



Was yet a wild Jack hare. 



Though duly from my hand he took 



His pittance every night. 

 He did it with a jealous look. 



And, when he could, would bite. 



His diet was of wheaten bread. 



And milk, and oats, and straw ; 

 Thistles, or lettuces instead. 



And sand to cleanse his maw. 



On twigs of hawthorn he regaled, 



On pippins' russet peel ; 

 And, when his juicier salads failM, 



Sliced carrot pleased him well. 



A Turkey carpet was his lawn ; 



Whereon he loved to bound, 

 To skip and gambol like a fawn, 



And swing himself around. 



His frisking was at evening hours, 



For then he lost his fear ; 

 But most before approaching showers, 



Or when a storm drew near. 



