OUR FOUR-FOOTED COMPANIONS, 305 



Sunny moor or meadow ; 

 This dog only orej^t and crept, 

 Next a languid cheek that slept, 



Sharing in the shadow. 



7. 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. 



8. And if one or two quick tears 

 Dropped upon his glossy ears, 



Or a sigh came double — 

 Up he sprang in eager haste, 

 Fawning, fondling, breathing fast, 



In a tender trouble. 



9. And this dog was satisfied 



If a pale, thin hand would glide 



Down his dewlaps sloping, 

 Which he pushed his nose within, 

 After platform ing his chin 



On the palm left open. 



10. This dog, if a friendly voice 

 Called him now to blither choice 



Than such a chamber keeping, 

 " Come out," praying from the door s 

 Presseth backward as before, 



Up against me leaping. 



11. Therefore to this dog will I, 

 Tenderly, not scornfully, 



Render praise and favor : 

 With my hand upon his head s 

 Is my benediction said, 



Therefore, and for ever. Mrs. Browning. 



