TO A FAITHFUL DOG.
Reading edition
Dear Vixey! quadruped of noble type, I fain would chant the praises of thy life, Though words of mine are powerless and weak, To sketch thy character, so brave yet meek.
Full of sincere devotion, without bound, Art thou to thy dear master, faithful hound! Thy love for him refreshing is to see, For in him centres thy felicity.
When he is saddened or beset with fears I've seen thy lovely eyes suffused with tears. And thou hast nestled by him to express Thy sympathy in eloquent caress.
But when in happier mood, and accents bright He speaks to thee, what transports of delight Beam from thine eye where joy and peace prevail, Upraise thy ears and elevate thy tail.
Those solemn, full, expressive eyes of thine, With fond affection and emotion shine, As he permits thee to curl round and lie Upon the sofa near him cozily.
Nothing will tempt thee to forsake his side, Where thou reclinest, with delighted pride. Vain are all efforts to divert thy choice, Unless o'er-ruled by his belovéd voice.
And whilst in Mrs. Mount's well-ordered room, Where thou with him art dining after noon, How knowingly thou dost inspect each face, Where thou, instinctively, kind feelings trace.
If thou could'st only speak, what tones of love Would pass 'twixt thee and him, thy joy to prove, For surely never could affection be Stronger than thine in warmth and constancy.
Serving each member of the family, With true allegiance and fidelity, Though chiefly to thy youngest mistress thou Dost with affectionate submission bow.
Albeit, thou wouldst forsake them all to win One quiet word or coaxing look from him; Thy first obedient loyalty is shown To him who thou so proudly count'st thine own.
No wonder, then, that he so prizes thee, For such devotion and fidelity, Which, even from a dog, can joy impart To a despairing or a troubled heart.
Thy great, round eyes with eloquence express Unselfish love and fullest confidence, Almost beyond the power of words to tell, When gazing on the one thou lov'st so well.
Dear Vixey, I conclude by sending thee, Over the boundless, intervening sea, Many kind words and pats by the loved one Who thy fond, ardent, faithful love has won.