| |
| THE NOON was shady, and soft airs | |
| Swept Ouse’s silent tide, | |
| When, ’scaped from literary cares, | |
| I wandered on his side. | |
| |
| My spaniel, prettiest of his race, | 5 |
| And high in pedigree | |
| (Two nymphs adorned with every grace | |
| That spaniel found for me), | |
| |
| Now wantoned lost in flags and reeds, | |
| Now starting into sight, | 10 |
| Pursued the swallow o’er the meads | |
| With scarce a slower flight. | |
| |
| It was the time when Ouse displayed | |
| His lilies newly blown; | |
| Their beauties I intent surveyed, | 15 |
| And one I wished my own. | |
| |
| With cane extended far I sought | |
| To steer it close to land; | |
| But still the prize, though nearly caught, | |
| Escaped my eager hand. | 20 |
| |
| Beau marked my unsuccessful pains | |
| With fixed, considerate face, | |
| And puzzling set his puppy brains | |
| To comprehend the case. | |
| |
| But with a cherup clear and strong | 25 |
| Dispersing all his dream, | |
| I thence withdrew, and followed long | |
| The windings of the stream. | |
| |
| My ramble ended, I returned; | |
| Beau, trotting far before, | 30 |
| The floating wreath again discerned, | |
| And plunging left the shore. | |
| |
| I saw him with that lily cropped | |
| Impatient swim to meet | |
| My quick approach, and soon he dropped | 35 |
| The treasure at my feet. | |
| |
| Charmed with the sight, “The world,” I cried, | |
| “Shall hear of this thy deed; | |
| My dog shall mortify the pride | |
| Of man’s superior breed: | 40 |
| |
| “But chief myself I will enjoin, | |
| Awake at duty’s call, | |
| To show a love as prompt as thine | |
| To Him who gives me all.” | |
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