Other dogs may be thy peers 



Haply in these drooping ears 



And this glossy fairness. 



But of thee it shall be said, 

 This dog watched beside a bed 



Day and night unweary, 

 Watched within a curtained room 

 Where no sunbeam brake the gloom 



Round the sick and dreary. 



Roses, gathered for a vase, 

 In that chamber died apace, 



Beam and breeze resigning ; 

 This dog only, waited on, 

 Knowing that when light is gone 



Love remains for shining. 



Other dogs in thymy dew 



Tracked the hares and followed through 



Sunny moor or meadow ; 

 This dog only, crept and crept 

 Next a languid cheek that slept, 



Sharing in the shadow. 



Other dogs of loyal cheer 

 Bounded at the whistle clear, 



Up the woodside hieing ; 

 This dog only, watched in reach 

 Of a faintly uttered speech 



Or a louder sighing. 



166 



