My dog! what remedy remains, Since, teach you all I can, I see you, after all my pains, So much resemble man?
BEAU’S REPLY Sir, when I flew to seize the bird In spite of your command, A louder voice than yours I heard, And harder to withstand.
You cried—‘Forbear!’—but in my breast A mightier cried—‘Proceed!’— ‘Twas Nature, sir, whose strong behest Impell’d me to the deed.
Yet much as Nature I respect, I ventured once to break (As you perhaps may recollect) Her precept for your sake;
And when your linnet on a day, Passing his prison door, Had flutter’d all his strength away, And panting pressed the floor;
Well knowing him a sacred thing, Not destined to my tooth, I only kiss’d his ruffled wing, And lick’d the feathers smooth.
Let my obedience then excuse My disobedience now, Nor some reproof yourself refuse From your aggrieved Bow-wow;
If killing birds be such a crime, (Which I can hardly see), What think you, sir, of killing Time With verse address’d to me?
W. Cowper.