These sounds, delightful to his listening ear, 

 He heeds no longer, for he cannot hear. 

 None stauncher, till the drive was done, defied 

 Temptation, rooted to his master's side ; 

 None swifter, when his master gave the word, 

 Leapt on his course to track the running bird, 

 And bore it back — ah, many a time and oft ! — 

 His nose as faultless as his mouth was soft. 

 How consciously, how proudly unconcerned 

 Straight to his master's side he then returned, 

 Wagged a glad tail and deemed himself repaid, 

 As in that master's hand the bird he laid ; 

 If, while a word of praise was duly said, 

 The hand should stroke his smooth and honest 



head. 

 Through Spring and Summer, in the sportless 



days, 

 Cheerful he lived a life of simpler ways : 

 Chose, since official dogs at times unbend, 

 The household cat for confidante and friend ; 

 With children, friendly but untaught to fawn, 

 Romped through the walks and rollicked on the 



lawn ; 

 Rejoiced, if one the frequent ball should throw, 

 To fetch it, scampering gaily to and fro, 

 Content through every change of sportive mood 

 If one dear voice, one only, called him good. 

 Such was my Dog, who now without my aid 

 Huntb through the shadowland, himself a shade ; 



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