Dear faithful object of my tender care, <br />Whom but my partial eyes none fancy fair; <br />May I unblamed display thy social mirth, <br />Thy modest virtues, and domestic worth: <br />Thou silent, humble flatterer, yet sincere, <br />More swayed by love than interest or fear; <br />Solely to please thy most ambitious view, <br />As lovers fond, and more than lovers true. <br />Who can resist those dumb beseeching eyes, <br />Where genuine eloquence persuasive lies? <br />Those eyes, where language fails, display thy heart <br />Beyond the pomp of phrase and pride of art. <br />Thou safe companion, and almost a friend, <br />Whose kind attachment but with life shall end,— <br />Blest were mankind if many a prouder name <br />Could boast thy grateful truth and spotless fame!<br /><br />Anna Laetitia Barbauld<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/to-a-dog/
