TO MY SPANIEL FANNY.

Fanny! were all the world like thee,

How cheerly then this life would glide,

Dear emblem of Fidelity!

Long may'st thou grace thy master's side.

Long cheer his hours of solitude,

With watchful eye each wish to learn,

And anxious speechless gratitude

Hail with delight each short sojourn.

When sick at heart, thy welcome home

A weary load of grief dispels,

Gladdens with hope the hours to come,

And yet a mournful lesson tells!

To find thee ever faithful, kind,

My guard by night, my friend by day,

While those in friendship more refined

Have with my fortunes flown away.

Why bounteous nature hast thou given

To this poor Brute — a boon so kind

As constancy — bless'd gift of Heaven!

And MAN — to waver like the wind?