University of Virginia Library

ON The Death of a Lap-Dog.

Erigone , Celestial Maid!
Kindly impart thy Virgin Aid:
And Mæra, Star! so burning bright!
(Her Favourite once, her Lap-delight)
To Dony due, accept the Verse,
And help to grace my Dony's Hearse.
Let Dony, like your Mæra, shine
An Orb above, ye Pow'rs Divine!
She kept Erigone from Harms;
He grac'd and guarded Chloe's Charms.
If Mæra Gone's Love did boast,
Dony was Chloe's Favourite Toast:
To him her softest Things she'd say:
Oft on her downy Breast he lay;
And oft he took a gentle Nap,
Upon her Sleep-inticing Lap.
Most beauteous own'd the Dogs among:
His Eyes so large: His Ears so long!
His Manner Beau; and Belle his Air:
Mottled and curl'd his lovely Hair.
Ne'er bark'd awake; nor snor'd, reclin'd;
Ne'er prov'd indecent from Behind:
Bred Tip-Top: free from odious Flea;
Cou'd take a Pinch; or relish Tea:
Lov'd Chick; but then so nice was grown,
The Liver only cou'd go down.
Courteous, yet Chaste, h'address'd the Dames;
Strutting the Ladies into Flames;
But, Cupid-like (I mean not Blind)
He kill'd, ne'er cur'd the Female Kind.
Your Censures, ye Profane, forbear;
Dony deserves my saltest Tear:
My Constancy, my Truth's approv'd,
While I lament the Dog I lov'd.
Ah Dony, Dony, did you know
The Grief, the Pain, I undergo;
Dony you'd soon again return,
Nor let your faithful Mistress mourn:
You'd soon obey this pious Call;
Dear, Melitæan Animal.