In spite of muzzles and police 



The world each day grows cur-rier ; 

 A gin-bred dwarf usurps the rug ; 

 Belinda pets a spurious pug ; 

 And Mabel stoops to kiss and hug 



A bandy-legged bull terrier. 



"With public pique, with private pains, 

 With age and winter in my veins, 

 What joy for Dandy's soul remains ? 



Ah ! you, whom dogs entitle 

 The best of mistresses and friends, 

 Your favour makes me all amends ; 

 In pleasing you ill-humour ends, 



And service finds requital. 



" You love me ! and content with that 

 The obsolete aristocrat 

 Sleeps unrepining on his mat ; 



So gladly, though I task it, 

 To your old pensioner's decay, 

 Your charity its alms shall pay, 

 Fine mincemeat and fresh milk by day, 



By night a cushioned basket. 



" These while I live will seem enough ; 

 But when my mortal life — this stuff 

 That dreams are made of — death shall snuff, 

 Bury me like a grandee ; 

 200 



