Poems and miscellanies selected from the writings of Miss Eliza Townsend Printed but not published |
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TO LITTLE “WAG.” |
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 | Poems and miscellanies selected from the writings of Miss Eliza Townsend |  |
190
TO LITTLE “WAG.”
[1853.]
Ah, darling dog, thou canst not know
What tears were shed for thee!
And there be those might meet their flow
With smiling mockery.
What tears were shed for thee!
And there be those might meet their flow
With smiling mockery.
Yet who that owns a human heart,
From friend of twelve long years,
Proved and found perfect, e'er could part,
And yet refrain from tears?
From friend of twelve long years,
Proved and found perfect, e'er could part,
And yet refrain from tears?
Companion of our couch by night,
Beneath our board by day,
Content while we remained in sight,
But sorrowing when away,
Beneath our board by day,
Content while we remained in sight,
But sorrowing when away,
Still watching at the window-pane,
Or guarding on the ground
Erect, the proffered boon to gain,
Or pranking all around,
Or guarding on the ground
Erect, the proffered boon to gain,
Or pranking all around,
191
In frolic play to catch away
The slipper as it dropped,
And force us, fleet in stocking-feet,
To chase him ere he stopped.
The slipper as it dropped,
And force us, fleet in stocking-feet,
To chase him ere he stopped.
Too mannerly to take the lead
On stairway or at door,
Waiting (unlike the human breed)
Till others went before.
On stairway or at door,
Waiting (unlike the human breed)
Till others went before.
The ready food from morn till eve
Untasted might remain
When separate, till at our return
He banqueted again!
Untasted might remain
When separate, till at our return
He banqueted again!
In journeyings nestling at our side,
Or crouching at our feet,
Well pleased alike to walk or ride,
A guest our hosts to greet.
Or crouching at our feet,
Well pleased alike to walk or ride,
A guest our hosts to greet.
Yet, when the ringing bells would prove
The Sabbath's wonted sign,
Aware with us he must not move,
He'd tranquilly recline;
The Sabbath's wonted sign,
Aware with us he must not move,
He'd tranquilly recline;
192
Prompt in our cause his aid to lend,
And zealous service show;
Wagging his welcome to a friend,
But barking off a foe.
And zealous service show;
Wagging his welcome to a friend,
But barking off a foe.
Grateful for kindly word or will,
Most patient when in pain,
With laboring breath, caressing still
The hand that would sustain!
Most patient when in pain,
With laboring breath, caressing still
The hand that would sustain!
And, if the grace of love and trust
Fit beings for the sky,
The spirit that informed that dust
May claim its place on high.
Fit beings for the sky,
The spirit that informed that dust
May claim its place on high.
How this may be I cannot see,
Since there is none to show,
And those that frown such fancy down
Themselves as little know.
Since there is none to show,
And those that frown such fancy down
Themselves as little know.
At least, I'm sure, and make an end,
This marvel has occurred,
One funeral record has been penned
Without a flattering word!
This marvel has occurred,
One funeral record has been penned
Without a flattering word!
| Poems and miscellanies selected from the writings of Miss Eliza Townsend | |