A spaniel, Beau, that fares like you, <br />Well fed, and at his ease, <br />Should wiser be than to pursue <br />Each trifle that he sees. <br /> <br />But you have killed a tiny bird, <br />Which flew not till to-day, <br />Against my orders, whom you heard <br />Forbidding you the prey. <br /> <br />Nor did you kill that you might eat, <br />And ease a doggish pain, <br />For him, though chased with furious heat, <br />You left where he was slain. <br /> <br />Nor was he of the theivish sort, <br />Or one whom blood allures, <br />But innocent was all his sport <br />Whom you have torn for yours. <br /> <br />My dog! what remedy remains, <br />Since, teach you all I can, <br />I see you, after all my pains, <br />So much resemble man! <br /> <br />BEAU'S REPLY. <br /> <br />Sir, when I flew to seize the bird <br />In spite of your command, <br />A louder voice than yours I heard, <br />And harder to withstand. <br /> <br />You cried -- forbear! -- but in my breast <br />A mightier cried -- proceed!-- <br />'Twas nature, sir, whose strong behest <br />Impelled me to the deed. <br /> <br />Yet much as nature I respect, <br />I ventured once to break <br />(As you perhaps may recollect) <br />Her precept for your sake; <br /> <br />And when your linnet on a day, <br />Passing his prison door, <br />Had fluttered all his strength away, <br />And panting pressed the floor; <br /> <br />Well knowing him a sacred thing, <br />Not destined to my tooth, <br />I only kissed his ruffled wing, <br />And licked the feathers smooth. <br /> <br />Let my obedience then excuse <br />My disobedience now, <br />Nor some reproof yourself refuse <br />From your aggrieved bow-wow; <br /> <br />If killing birds be such a crime, <br />(Which I can hardly see,) <br />What think you, sir, of killing time <br />With verse addressed to me?<br /><br />William Cowper<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/on-a-spaniel-called-beau-killing-a-young-bird/
