Verses by John Frederick Bryant late tobacco-pipe maker at Bristol. Together with his life, written by himself |
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On the DEATH of a SPANIEL, The Favourite of the younger Part of the Family, but a Tyrant to the Cats. |
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 | Verses by John Frederick Bryant |  |
1
On the DEATH of a SPANIEL, The Favourite of the younger Part of the Family, but a Tyrant to the Cats.
Beneath your feet, low in the silent dust,Phillis, the fondest cur that ever breath'd,
Freed from the cares of life's important trust,
Insensible to praise or blame, does rest:
But all of canine race must surely die;
The bull-dog fierce, the mastiff stout and bold;
Each pointer, setter, greyhound, low must lie
At last, like spaniel Phillis, stiff and cold.
Lions and tigers, all the prowling brood
Of bears and wolves, and panthers fierce and wild,
That range the desert, and infest the wood,
Must yield to death, like Phillis tame and mild.
2
Who stiles himself o'er all creation lord,
Must feel the mortal pang, must too expire,
And to the wormy grave a feast afford.—
Ah, childhood! stop, and shed one generous tear
O'er your once fav'rite Phillis, now no more;
For she to all your youthful train was dear,
When in your service her frail life she wore.
Alas! she lies bereft of pow'r to please!
All, all her late diverting tricks are done!
Phillis no more the grim-fac'd cat can teaze,
For ah! the little wanton's dead and gone!
| Verses by John Frederick Bryant | |