I.

Loving friend, the gift of one Who her own true faith has run

Through thy lower nature, Be my benediction said With my hand upon thy head,

Gentle fellow-creature!

II.

Like a lady's ringlets brown, Flow thy silken ears adown

Either side demurely Of thy silver-suited breast, Shining out from all the rest

Of thy body purely.

III.

Darkly brown thy body is, Till the sunshine striking this

Alchemise its dulness; When the sleek curls manifold Flush all over into gold,

With a burnish'd fulness.

IV.

Underneath my stroking hand, Startled eyes of hazel bland

Kindling, growing larger, Up thou leapest with a spring, Full of prank and curveting,

Leaping like a charger.

V.

Leap! thy broad tail waves a light, Leap! thy slender feet are bright, Canopied in fringes;

Leap - those tassell'd ears of thine Flicker strangely, fair and fine, Down their golden inches.

VI.

Yet, my pretty, sportive friend, Little is't to such an end

That I praise thy rareness! Other dogs may be thy peers Haply in those drooping ears,

And this glossy fairness.

VII.

But of thee it shall be said, This dog watch'd beside a bed

Day and night nnweary, - Watch'd within a curtain'd room, Where no sunbeam brake the gloom.

Round the sick and dreary.

VIII.

Roses, gather'd for a vase, For that chamber died apace,

Beam and breeze resigning; This dog only, waited on, Knowing that when light is gone,

Love remains for shining.

IX.

Other dogs in thymy den

Track'd the hares and follow'd through

Snowy moor or meadow. This dog only, crept and crept Next a languid cheek that slept,

Sharing in the shadow.

X.

Other dogs, of loyal cheer, Bounded at the whistle clear, Up the woodside hying.

This dog only, watch'd in reach Of a faintly-utter'd speech, Or a louder sighing.

XI.

And if one or two quick tears Dropp'd upon his glossy ears,

Or a sigh came double, Up he sprang in eager haste, Fawning, fondling, breathing fast,

In a tender trouble.

XII.

And this dog was satisfied

If a pale thin hand would glide

Down his dewlaps sloping - Which he push'd his nose within, After platforining his chin

On the palm left open.

XIII.

This dog, if a friendly voice Call him now to blither choice

Than such chamber-keeping. "Come out! " praying from the door, Presseth backward as before,

Up against me leaping.

XIV.

Therefore to this dog will I, Tenderly, not scornfully,

Render praise and favour : With my hand upon his head, Is my benediction said,

Therefore and for ever.

XV.

And because he loves me so,

Better than his kind will do

Often, man or woman;

Give I back more love again Thau dogs often take of men, Learning from my Human.

XVI.

Blessings on thee, dog of mine, Pretty collars make thee fine,

Sugar'd milk make fat thee! Pleasures wag on in thy tail, Hands of gentle motion fail

Nevermore to pat thee!

XVII.

Downy pillow take thy head, Silken coverlet bestead,

Sunshine help thy sleeping! No flies buzzing wake thee up, No man break thy purple cup,

Set for drinking deep in.

XVIII.

Whisker'd cats anointed flee, Sturdy stoppers keep from thee

Cologne distillations; Nuts lie on thy path for stones, And thy feast-day macaroons

Turn to daily rations!

XIX.

Mock I thee, in wishing weal? Tears are in my eyes to feel

Thou art made so straightly. Blessing needs must straighten too, Little canst thou joy or do,

Thou who lovest greatly.

XX.

Yet be blessed to the height Of all good and all delight Pervious to thy nature;

Only loved beyond that line, With a love that answers thine, Loving fellow-creature!