Flesh he devour'd, but not a bit would stay ; 

 He bark'd, and snarl'd, and growl'd it all away. 

 His ribs were seen extended like a rack, 

 And coarse red hair hung roughly o'er his back. 

 Lamed in one leg, and bruised in wars of yore, 

 Now his sore body made his temper sore. 

 Such was the friend of him who could not find 

 Nor make him one 'mong creatures of his kind. 

 Brave deeds of Fang his master often told, 

 The son of Fury, famed in deeds of old, 

 From Snatch and Rabid sprung ; and noted they 

 In earlier times — each dog will have his day. 



The notes of Fang were to his master known, 

 And dear — they bore some likeness to his own ; 

 For both convey'd to his experienced ear, 

 " I snarl and bite, because I hate and fear." 

 None pass'd ungreeted by the master's door, — 

 Fang railed at all, but chiefly at the poor ; 

 And when the nights were stormy, cold, and dark, 

 The act of Fang was a perpetual bark ; 

 But though the master loved the growl of Fang, 

 There were who vow'd the ugly cur to hang ; 

 Whose angry master, watchful for his friend, 

 As strongly vow'd his servant to defend. 



In one dark night, and such as Fang before 

 Was ever known its tempests to outroar, 

 To his protector's wonder now express'd 



ioo 



