Or, couched intent before some ghostly gate, 

 Waits for my step, as here he used to wait. 



Robert C. Lehmann. 



To Rufus, a Spaniel ^ ^> -^ <^- 



~T)UFUS, a bright New Year ! A savoury stew, 

 -* *- Bones, broth and biscuits, is prepared for 



you. 

 See how it steams in your enamelled dish, 

 Mixed in each part according to your wish. 

 Hide in your straw the bones you cannot crunch— 

 They'll come in handy for to-morrow's lunch ; 

 Abstract with care each tasty scrap of meat, 

 Remove each biscuit to a fresh retreat 

 (A dog, I judge, would deem himself disgraced 

 Who ate a biscuit where he found it placed) ; 

 Then nuzzle round and make your final sweep, 

 And sleep, replete, your after-dinner sleep. 

 High in our hall we've piled the fire with logs 

 For you, the doyen of our corps of dogs. 

 There, when the stroll that health demands is done, 

 Your right to ease by due exertion won, 

 There shall you come, and on your long-haired 



mat, 

 Thrice turning round, shall tread the jungle fiat, 

 And, rhythmically snoring, dream away 

 The peaceful evening of your New Year's day. 



220 



