twelve o'clock that same day — another instance 

 of the untoward fate which so often attends dogs 

 and other philosophers who follow out a train of 

 reasoning to its logical conclusion, and attempt 

 perfectly consistent conduct in a world made up 

 so largely of compromise. 



Thomas Hardy. 



A Blenheim's Valentine O *^ ^> 



(Written for Mrs. Whateley's "Dandy," 1871) 



T T was the season of the Saint 



-*- Of February, when Love's constraint 



Pricks every amorous soul to paint 



His torments to his mistress, 

 And rendered tuneful by the time, 

 Or mindful of his perished prime, 

 Dandy broke out in doggerel rhyme, 



And thus proclaimed his distress : 



" The Saint's return, my mistress dear, 

 Which brings to lovers' hearts good cheer, 

 Yet makes them older by a year ; 



'Tis with a touch of sorrow, 

 Although good breeding keeps me gay, 

 I feel the force of what they say, 

 That every dog must have his day, 



And every dog its morrow. 

 198 



