My next was a Newfoundland brute, So truly he backed, I always fell into the water. I once had a sheep-dog for guide, A Smithfield Ducrow, To stand on four saddles of mutton. My next was an Esquimaux dog, A dog that my bones ached to talk on, On cold frosty days He picked out the slides for a walk on. Bijou was a lady-like dog, But vexed me at night not a little, She would not go home, Her tail had once trailed a tin kettle. I once had a sort of a Shock, And kissed a street post like a brother, And lost every tooth In learning this truth One blind cannot well lead another. A terrier was far from a trump, He had one defect, and a thorough, 'Od rabbit the cur! Without going into the Borough. My next was Dalmatian, the dog! Between carriage wheels, Till I came upon boards that were spiky. The next that I had was from Cross, And so I was led Right up to his den like a Daniel. A mongrel I tried, and he did, Endangers the blind, The breed is so fond of a crossing. A setter was quite to my taste, In alleys or streets broad or narrow, A very dead set, At a very dead horse in a barrow. I once had a dog that went mad, And sorry I was that I got him; It came to a run, And a man with a gun Peppered me when he ought to have shot him. My profits have gone to the dogs, My trade has been such a deceiver, I fear that my Is a mere losing game, Unless I can find a Retriever. THE KANGAROOS. A FABLE. A PAIR of married kangaroos As all the little K.'s just then areAbout some two months off the lapThey're not so long in arms as men are. A twist in each parental muzzle And yet they had no squeamish carings For they had no armorial bearings. Howbeit they're not the last on earth That might indulge in pride of birth; Whoe'er has seen their infant young Bob in and out their mother's pokes, Would own, with very ready tongue, They are not born like common folks. Well, thus the serious subject stood, It kept the old pair watchful nightly, 342 Debating for young hopeful's good, And go through life (like them) uprightly. He was not formed for over-reaching. The law why there still fate ill-starred him, And plainly from the bar debarred him: A doctor-who would ever fee him? He would not make a rigging-mounter; A lady chose To ask him for a yard of ferret! A gardener digging up his beds, The puzzled parents shook their heads. "A tailor would not do because They paused and glanced upon his paws. Some parish post-though fate should place it In short, each anxious Kangaroo Discussed the matter through and through; And in the night Of course they saw their way no clearer ! MORAL. I wish all human parents so Would argue what their sons are fit for; Some would-be critics that I know Would be in trades they have more wit for. SONNET. THE sky is glowing in one ruddy sheet;- And quick unlocks the fountains of the street; |