172 SELECT POETRY

Four dogs, each pair of different breed,
Distinguished two for scent, and two for speed.

See a hare before him started !
Off they fly in earnest chase ;
Every dog is eager-hearted ;
All the four are in the race:
And the hare whom they pursue
Hath an instinct what to do ;
Her hope is near; no turn she makes ;
But, like an arrow, to the river takes.

Deep the river was, and crusted
Thinly by a one night’s frost,
But the nimble hare hath trusted
To the ice, and safely crossed ;
She hath crossed, and without heed
All are following at full speed ;
When lo ! the ice, so thinly spread,
Breaks—and the greyhound, Dart, is over-head !

Better fate have Prince and Swallow—
See them cleaving to the sport!
Music hath no heart to follow,
Little Music she stops short,
She hath neither wish nor heart ;
Hers is now another part—
A loving creature she, and brave !
And fondly strives her struggling friend to save.

From the brink her paw she stretches,
Very hands, as you would say,

And afflicting moans she fetches
As he breaks the ice away.