182 SELECT POETRY
TO A SPANIEL ON HIS KILLING A
BIRD.

A SPANIEL, Beau, that fares like you,
Well fed, and at his ease,

Should wiser be than to pursue
Each trifle that he sees.

But you have killed a tiny bird,
Which flew not till to-day,

Against my orders, whom you heard
Forbidding you the prey.

Nor did you kill that you might eat,
And ease a doggish pain,

For him, though chaced with furious heat,
You left where he was slain.

Nor was he of the thievish sort,
Or one whom blood allures,

But innocence was all his sport
Whom you have torn for yours.

My dog! what remedy remains,
Since, teach you all I can,

I see you after all my pains,
So much resemble man ?

BEAU'S REPLY.

Sir, when I flew to seize the bird
In spite of your command,

A louder veice than yours I heard,
And harder to withstand.