The Dog's Book of Verse Part 9

He always seemed quite well behaved, And he never had many bad fights; In summer he used to be shaved And he slept in the woodshed o' nights.

Sometimes he would wake up too soon And cry, if his tail got a chill; Some nights he would bark at the moon, But some nights he would sleep very still.

He knew how to play hide-and-seek And he always would come when you'd call; He would play dead, roll over and speak, And learned it in no time at all.

Sometimes he would growl, just in play, But he never would bite, and his worst Was to bark at the postman one day, But the postman, he barked at him first.

He used to chase cats up a tree, But that was just only in fun; And a cat was as safe as could be-- Unless it should start out to run; Sometimes he'd chase children and throw Them down, just while running along, And then lick their faces to show He didn't mean anything wrong.

He was chasing an automobile When the wheel hit him right in the side, So he just gave a queer little squeal And curled up and stretched out and died.

His tail it was not very long, He was curly and not very tall; But he never did anything wrong-- He was just our dog, mister--that's all.

ANONYMOUS.

RAGGED ROVER

I have still a vision of him Ragged Rover, as he lay In the suns.h.i.+ne of the morning On the door-stone worn and gray; Where the honeysuckle trellis Hung its tinted blossoms low, And the well-sweep with its bucket Swung its burden to and fro; Where the maples were a-quiver In the pleasant June-time breeze; And where droned among the phloxes Half a hundred golden bees.

Yes, I have a vision with me Of a home upon a hill; And my heart is sad with longing And my eyes with tear-drops fill.

I would be the care-free urchin That I was so long ago When across the sun-lit meadows Rover with me used to go Yonder where the graceful lindens Threw their shadows far and cool, And the waters waited for me In the br.i.m.m.i.n.g swimming pool.

I can see him drive the cattle From the pasture through the lane With their mellow bells a-tinkle, Sending out a low refrain; I can see him drive them homeward, Speckle, Brindle, Bess and Belle; All the herd from down the valley As the shades of even fell.

Thus, I wander like a pilgrim-- Slow the steps that once were strong; Back to greet him, Ragged Rover, And my childhood's ceaseless song.

LESLIE CLARE MANCHESTER.

TO FLUSH, MY DOG

I

Loving friend, the gift of one Who her own true faith has run Through thy lower nature, Be my benediction said With my hand upon thy head, Gentle fellow-creature!

II

Like a lady's ringlets brown, Flow thy silken ears adown Either side demurely Of thy silver-suited breast, s.h.i.+ning out from all the rest Of thy body purely.

III

Darkly brown thy body is, Till the suns.h.i.+ne striking this Alchemize its dulness, When the sleek curls manifold Flash all over into gold With a burnished fulness.

IV

Underneath my stroking hand.

Startled eyes of hazel bland Kindling, growing larger, Up thou leanest with a spring, Full of prank and curvetting, Leaping like a charger.

V

Leap! thy broad tail waves a light, Leap! thy slender feet are bright, Canopied in fringes; Leap! those ta.s.selled ears of thine Flicker strangely, fair and fine Down their gold inches.

VI

Yet, my pretty sportive friend, Little is't to such an end That I praise thy rareness: Other dogs may be thy peers Happy in these drooping ears And this glossy fairness.

VII

But of _thee_ it shall be said, This dog watched beside a bed Day and night unweary,-- Watched within a curtained room Where no sunbeam brake the gloom, Round the sick and dreary.

VIII

Roses, gathered for a vase, In that chamber died s.p.a.ce, Beam and breeze resigning: This dog only waited on, Knowing, that, when light is gone, Love remains for s.h.i.+ning.

IX

Other dogs in thymy dew Tracked the hares, and followed through Sunny moor or meadow: This dog only crept and crept Next a languid cheek that slept, Sharing in the shadow.

X

Other dogs of loyal cheer Bounded at the whistle clear, Up the woodside hieing: This dog only watched in reach Of a faintly uttered speech, Or a louder sighing.

XI

And if one or two quick tears Dropped upon his glossy ears, Or a sigh came double, Up he sprang in eager haste, Fawning, fondling, breathing fast, In a tender trouble.

XII

And this dog was satisfied If a pale, thin hand would glide Down his dewlaps sloping,-- Which he pushed his nose within, After,--platforming his chin On the palm left open.

XIII

This dog, if a friendly voice Call him now to blither choice Than such chamber-keeping, "Come out!" praying from the door, Presseth backward as before, Up against me leaping.

XIV

Therefore to this dog will I, Tenderly, not scornfully, Render praise and favor: With my hand upon his head, Is my benediction said Therefore and forever.

XV

And because he loves me so, Better than his kind will do Often man or woman, Give I back more love again Than dogs often take of men, Leaning from my human.

XVI

Blessings on thee, dog of mine, Pretty collars make thee fine, Sugared milk may fat thee!

Pleasures wag on in thy tail, Hands of gentle motion fail Nevermore to pat thee!