Valentine Verses or, Lines of Truth, Love, and Virtue. By the Reverend Richard Cobbold |
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THE WORTHLESS DOG. |
 | Valentine Verses |  |
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THE WORTHLESS DOG.
A shepherd's dog, 'tis really fact,
His master saw him in the act,
By night would kill the very sheep,
Appointed him to watch and keep:—
By day he meekly eyed the fold,
And bark'd whenever he was told;
Would walk behind the shepherd's heels,
And fawn upon him at his meals;
Yet strange to say, his master found
The dog grew daily larger round,
Look'd fat and sleek, would hardly share
His former homely frugal fare,
But daintily would leave the crust,
For other dogs to eat with dust.
His master saw him in the act,
By night would kill the very sheep,
Appointed him to watch and keep:—
By day he meekly eyed the fold,
And bark'd whenever he was told;
Would walk behind the shepherd's heels,
And fawn upon him at his meals;
Yet strange to say, his master found
The dog grew daily larger round,
Look'd fat and sleek, would hardly share
His former homely frugal fare,
But daintily would leave the crust,
For other dogs to eat with dust.
Suspicion grew. Some sheep betray'd
The forms of havoc which he made;
And one was found secreted low
In ditch, beside the hedge's row,
Or else beneath the blasted thorn
That stood alone, like man forlorn;
The Shepherd watch'd, and shot the beast
At moment of his nightly feast.
The forms of havoc which he made;
And one was found secreted low
In ditch, beside the hedge's row,
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That stood alone, like man forlorn;
The Shepherd watch'd, and shot the beast
At moment of his nightly feast.
Those who pretend to guard and guide,
Should watchful be on ev'ry side;
Should faithful to their master's fold,
Keep off the wolves—be brave and bold;
Be humble too in mind and frame,
And seek to merit a good name.
Should guard their hearts, lest eye of fire
Be caught at moment of desire,
And so forgetting Master's pow'r,
Should study how they may devour.
Should watchful be on ev'ry side;
Should faithful to their master's fold,
Keep off the wolves—be brave and bold;
Be humble too in mind and frame,
And seek to merit a good name.
Should guard their hearts, lest eye of fire
Be caught at moment of desire,
And so forgetting Master's pow'r,
Should study how they may devour.
The faithful man will truly find
Fidelity is never blind,
But infidelity will clog,
The heart with faults; like worthless dog,
By day deceitful, and by night
Be hateful to his master's sight.
Fidelity is never blind,
But infidelity will clog,
The heart with faults; like worthless dog,
By day deceitful, and by night
Be hateful to his master's sight.
| Valentine Verses | |