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RUFA
Thy lap-dog, Rufa, is a dainty beast,
It don't surprise me in the least
To see thee lick so dainty clean a beast.
But that so dainty clean a beast licks thee,
Yes—that surprises me.
First published in An. Anth., 1800. First collected P. and D. W., 1877, ii. 164. Adapted from Lessing's Sinngedicht No. 66. An die Dorilis. 'Dein Hündchen, Dorilis, ist zärtlich, tändelnd, rein.'