 | Poems |  |
126
ON THE DEATH OF A FAVOURITE LAP-DOG.
I
Since then thy life's “poor play is o'er,”And thou can'st live to charm no more,
who charm'd so well;
Let me whose hours you oft beguiled,
Who at thy sportive ways oft smiled,
thy virtues tell!
II
Tho' courted, follow'd, and admired,Yet you no flatt'ring praise desired,
but lov'd to shun
The crowd, and chose an humble lot,
And chastely, unobtrusive, not
“unsought be won.”
127
III
Thy sex's faults to thee unknown,To gadding nor to flirting prone,
thou ne'er wert seen;
With smiles invidious to disgrace,
The mild expression of thy face,
by envious spleen!
IV
Nor with a foul, malicious tongue,To do thy friend or neighbour wrong;
but ever ready
With all thy power to defend
Thy neighbour, or thy much lov'd friend,
with courage steady!
V
Possessed of many a wily charm,The heart of sorrow to disarm,
you constant prov'd;
For seven long years with sportive play,
To chase dull thought and care away,
from those you lov'd!
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VI
Nor female like, did'st thou e'er pantFor dress, or shewy baubles want;
and did'st desire
But cleanliness devoid of art,
Pure emblem of thy purer heart,
thy best attire.
VII
With brilliant eyes of jetty dye,And teeth that did with ivory vie,
and skin of snow;
With loveliness of form blest,
Yet that those charms you e'er possest,
you ne'er did know!
VIII
Cosmetic aid you'd ne'er implore,A faded charm to restore,
or age repel;
Yet may I say with friendly pride,
That charms were thine, and that you died,
and lived a Bell
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