CHARACTERISTIC OF A FAVOURITE DOG ON his morning rounds the
Master Goes to learn how all things fare; Searches pasture after
pasture, Sheep and cattle eyes with care; And, for silence or
for talk, He hath comrades in his walk; 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;
10 Every dog is eager-hearted, All the four are in the race: And
the hare whom they pursue, Knows from 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 crost; 20 She hath crost, and without heed All are
following at full speed, When, lo! the ice, so thinly spread,
Breaks--and the greyhound, DART, is overhead! Better fate have
PRINCE and SWALLOW-- See them cleaving to the sport! MUSIC has
no heart to follow, Little MUSIC, she stops short. She hath
neither wish nor heart, H