 | Under Cross and Crescent |  |
82
TO “NIKO”
(“A crush-nosed, human-hearted dog.”)
—Browning.
You came to me in sorrow, when my mind
Dwelt only on Hope's cruel overthrow;—
All uninvited, through a land of snow,
Leaving your painted paper home behind;
You journey'd hither, from the East, to find
Your place amongst us, who were plunged in woe,
Speaking a language that you did not know,
Though welcome-sounding words, and seeming kind.
Out of a bright fantastic realm you beam'd,
And by some pow'r superior to man's,
From that quaint tea-tray world of flow'rs and fans,
Brought sunshine back to ours. With head in air,
And tufted tail, and Kylin-mouth, you seem'd
To laugh at death, and life again grew fair!
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