TO MY DOG.

Noble fellow, faithful friend! Devoted, kind, and true; In all this wide, wide world I've found No one who loves like you. Faithful dog, rememb'rest thou (Oh, lucky day for thee!) When thou, a friendless puppy, came To beg a crust from me? Then thou wast hungry, footsore, cold, Thy sides were lank and thin; But when I saw thy friendly face I gladly took thee in. Now thou art beautiful and plump. Thy fur is soft and sleek, A pretty collar buckled round Thy noble, glossy neck. But thou, oh, noble, trusty friend, Repay'st this care of mine A thousand-fold, for who could spurn Devotion such as thine? I know if thou, in time to come, Some other friend should find, Thou wilt not say of me harsh words And sentences unkind. So they who would our friendship scorn— My fondness would reprove,— Would better come to thee and learn True gratitude and love.