Page:Poems Barrett.djvu/255

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

Therefore to this dog will I,
Tenderly not scornfully,
 Render praise and favour!
With my hand upon his head,
Is my benediction said
 Therefore, and for ever.

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.

Blessings on thee, dog of mine,
Pretty collars make thee fine,
 Sugared milk make fat thee!
Pleasures wag on in thy tail—
Hands of gentle motion fail
 Nevermore, to pat thee!

Downy pillow take thy head,
Silken coverlid bestead,
 Sunshine help thy sleeping!
No fly's buzzing wake thee up—
No man break thy purple cup,
 Set for drinking deep in.

Whiskered cats arointed flee—
Sturdy stoppers keep from thee
 Cologne distillations;