That gives the least promise of scrimmage or sport.
On rats he's still ruthless! They may think him toothless,
Those red Turkish rodents who once felt his fangs.
Ah! eighteen years earlier his coat was much curlier,
Now white and whispy sparse-scattered it hangs.
But years though they roughen his hide, seem to toughen
The muscles and nerves of this rare sporting tyke.
The rattling old ratter is still game to scatter
A pitful of vermin, of what breed you like.
The Istamboul sort are his favourite sport,