To Flush, My DogTo Flush, My DogTo Flush, My DogTo Flush, My DogTo Flush, My Dog
LOVING friend, the gift of one LOVING friend, the gift of one LOVING friend, the gift of one LOVING friend, the gift of one LOVING friend, the gift of one Who her own true faith has run, Kindly who her faith hath run Who, her own true faith, has run, Who, her own true faith, has run, Who her own true faith has run, Through thy lower nature, *This dog was the gift of my dear and admired friend, Miss Mitford, and belongs to the beautiful race she has rendered celebrated among English and American readers. The Flushes have their laurels as well as the Cæsars,—the chief difference (at least the very head and front of it) consisting, perhaps, in the bald head of the latter under the crown. 1844. [EBB note] Through thy lower nature *This dog was the gift of my dear and admired friend, Miss Mitford, and belongs to the beautiful race she has rendered celebrated among English and American readers. The Flushes have their laurels as well as the Cæsars,—the chief difference (at least the very head and front of it) consisting, perhaps, in the bald head of the latter under the crown. 1844. [EBB note] Through thy lower nature, *This dog was the gift of my dear and admired friend, Miss Mitford, and belongs to the beautiful race she has rendered celebrated among English and American readers. The Flushes have their laurels as well as the Cæsars,—the chief difference (at least the very head and front of it) consisting, perhaps, in the bald head of the latter under the crown. 1844. [EBB note] Through thy lower nature, *This dog was the gift of my dear and admired friend, Miss Mitford, and belongs to the beautiful race she has rendered celebrated among English and American readers. The Flushes have their laurels as well as the Cæsars,—the chief difference (at least the very head and front of it) consisting, perhaps, in the bald head of the latter under the crown. 1844. [EBB note] Through thy lower nature, *This dog was the gift of my dear and admired friend, Miss Mitford, and belongs to the beautiful race she has rendered celebrated among English and American readers. The Flushes have their laurels as well as the Cæsars,—the chief difference (at least the very head and front of it) consisting, perhaps, in the bald head of the latter under the crown. 1844. [EBB note] Be my benediction said Be my benediction said Be my benediction said Be my benediction said Be my benediction said With my hand upon thy head, With my hand upon thy head, With my hand upon thy head, With my hand upon thy head, With my hand upon thy head, Gentle fellow-creature!

Gentle fellow-creature!

Gentle fellow-creature!

Gentle fellow-creature!

Gentle fellow-creature!


Like a lady’s ringlets brown, Like a lady’s ringlets brown, Like a lady’s ringlets brown, Like a lady’s ringlets brown, Like a lady’s ringlets brown, Flow thy silken ears adown Flow thy silken ears adown Flow thy silken ears adown Flow thy silken ears adown Flow thy silken ears adown Either side demurely Either side demurely Either side demurely Either side demurely Either side demurely Of thy silver-suited breast, Of thy silver-suited breast, Of thy silver-suited breast, Of thy silver-suited breast, Of thy silver-suited breast, Shining out from all the rest Shining out from all the rest Shining out from all the rest Shining out from all the rest Shining out from all the rest Of thy body purely.

Of thy body purely.

Of thy body purely.

Of thy body purely.

Of thy body purely.


Darkly brown thy body is, Darkly brown thy body is, Darkly brown thy body is, Darkly brown thy body is, Darkly brown thy body is, Till the sunshine striking this Till the sunshine striking this Till the sunshine striking this Till the sunshine striking this Till the sunshine striking this Alchemise its dulness, Alchemise its dulness, Alchemise its dulness, Alchemise its dulness, Alchemise its dulness, When the sleek curls manifold When the sleek curls manifold When the sleek curls manifold When the sleek curls manifold When the sleek curls manifold Flash all over into gold, Flash all over into gold, Flash all over into gold, Flash all over into gold, Flash all over into gold, With a burnished fulness.

With a burnished fulness.

With a burnished fulness.

With a burnished fulness.

With a burnished fulness.


Underneath my stroking hand, Underneath my stroking hand, Underneath my stroking hand, Underneath my stroking hand, Underneath my stroking hand, Startled eyes of hazel bland Startled eyes of hazel bland Startled eyes of hazel bland Startled eyes of hazel bland Startled eyes of hazel bland Kindling, growing larger, Kindling, growing larger, Kindling, growing larger, Kindling, growing larger, Kindling, growing larger, Up thou leapest with a spring, Upward, upward, dost thou spring, Up thou leapest with a spring, Up thou leapest with a spring, Up thou leapest with a spring, Full of prank and curveting, Full of prank and cürvetting , Full of prank and curvetting , Full of prank and curveting, Full of prank and curveting, Leaping like a charger.

Rearing like a charger !

Leaping like a charger.

Leaping like a charger.

Leaping like a charger.


Leap! thy broad tail waves a light, Leap! thy broad tail waves a light, Leap! thy broad tail waves a light, Leap! thy broad tail waves a light, Leap! thy broad tail waves a light, Leap! thy slender feet are bright, Leap! thy slender feet are bright, Leap! thy slender feet are bright, Leap! thy slender feet are bright, Leap! thy slender feet are bright, Canopied in fringes. Glittering in their fringes ; Canopied in fringes. Canopied in fringes. Canopied in fringes. Leap—those tasselled ears of thine Leap—those tasselled ears of thine Leap—those tasselled ears of thine Leap—those tasselled ears of thine Leap—those tasselled ears of thine Flicker strangely, fair and fine, Flicker strangely, fair and fine, Flicker strangely, fair and fine, Flicker strangely, fair and fine, Flicker strangely, fair and fine, Down their golden inches. Down their golden inches. Down their golden inches. Down their golden inches. Down their golden inches.
Yet, my pretty, sportive friend,

Yet, O pretty, playful friend,

Yet, my pretty sportive friend,

Yet, my pretty, sportive friend,

Yet, my pretty, sportive friend,

Little is ’t to such an end Little is ’t to such an end Little is ’t to such an end Little is ’t to such an end Little is ’t to such an end That I praise thy rareness! That I praise thy rareness! That I praise thy rareness! That I praise thy rareness! That I praise thy rareness! Other dogs may be thy peers Other dogs may be thy peers Other dogs may be thy peers Other dogs may be thy peers Other dogs may be thy peers Haply in these drooping ears, Haply in those tasselled ears, Haply in these drooping ears, Haply in these drooping ears, Haply in these drooping ears, And this glossy fairness. And this glossy fairness. And this glossy fairness. And this glossy fairness. And this glossy fairness.
But of thee it shall be said,

But of thee it shall be said,

But of thee it shall be said,

But of thee it shall be said,

But of thee it shall be said,

This dog watched beside a bed This dog watched beside a bed This dog watched beside a bed This dog watched beside a bed This dog watched beside a bed Day and night unweary,— Day and night unweary,— Day and night unweary,— Day and night unweary,— Day and night unweary,— Watched within a curtained room, Watched within a curtained room, Watched within a curtained room, Watched within a curtained room, Watched within a curtained room, Where no sunbeam brake the gloom Where no sunbeam brake the gloom Where no sunbeam brake the gloom Where no sunbeam brake the gloom Where no sunbeam brake the gloom Round the sick and dreary. Round the sick and dreary. Round the sick and dreary. Round the sick and dreary. Round the sick and dreary.
Roses, gathered for a vase,

Roses, gathered for a vase,

Roses, gathered for a vase,

Roses, gathered for a vase,

Roses, gathered for a vase,


In that chamber died apace, In that chamber died apace, In that chamber died apace, In that chamber died apace, In that chamber died apace, Beam and breeze resigning. Beam and breeze resigning. Beam and breeze resigning. Beam and breeze resigning. Beam and breeze resigning. This dog only, waited on, This dog , friend-like, waited on, This dog only, waited on, This dog only, waited on, This dog only, waited on, Knowing that when light is gone Knowing that when light is gone Knowing that when light is gone Knowing that when light is gone Knowing that when light is gone Love remains for shining. Love remains for shining.

Love remains for shining. Love remains for shining. Love remains for shining. Other dogs, at sweep of horn, Barked along the shivering corn Till the game was started;-- This dog only, all the day, Patient by a pillow lay,

Watching the sad-hearted.








Other dogs in thymy dew Other dogs in thymy dew Other dogs in thymy dew Other dogs in thymy dew Other dogs in thymy dew Tracked the hares and followed through Tracked their masters down and through Tracked the hares and followed through Tracked the hares and followed through Tracked the hares and followed through Sunny moor or meadow. Sunny slope and meadow ;-- Sunny slope and meadow -- Sunny slope and meadow -- Sunny slope and meadow -- This dog only, crept and crept This dog only, crept and crept This dog only, crept and crept This dog only, crept and crept This dog only, crept and crept Next a languid cheek that slept, Next a languid cheek that slept, Next a languid cheek that slept, Next a languid cheek that slept, Next a languid cheek that slept, Sharing in the shadow.

Sharing in the shadow.

Sharing in the shadow.

Sharing in the shadow.

Sharing in the shadow.


Other dogs of loyal cheer Other dogs of faithful cheer Other dogs of loyal cheer Other dogs of loyal cheer Other dogs of loyal cheer Bounded at the whistle clear, Followed close the whistle clear, Bounded at the whistle clear, Bounded at the whistle clear, Bounded at the whistle clear, Up the woodside hieing. Up the woodside hieing. Up the woodside hieing. Up the woodside hieing. Up the woodside hieing. This dog only, watched in reach This dog only, watched in reach This dog only, watched in reach This dog only, watched in reach This dog only, watched in reach Of a faintly uttered speech, Of a faintly uttered speech, Of a faintly uttered speech, Of a faintly uttered speech, Of a faintly uttered speech, Or a louder sighing.

Or a louder sighing.

Or a louder sighing.

Or a louder sighing.

Or a louder sighing.


And if one or two quick tears And if one or two quick tears And if one or two quick tears And if one or two quick tears And if one or two quick tears Dropped upon his glossy ears, Dropped upon his glossy ears, Dropped upon his glossy ears, Dropped upon his glossy ears, Dropped upon his glossy ears, Or a sigh came double,— Or a sigh came double,— Or a sigh came double,— Or a sigh came double,— Or a sigh came double,— Up he sprang in eager haste, Up he sprang in eager haste, Up he sprang in eager haste, Up he sprang in eager haste, Up he sprang in eager haste, Fawning, fondling, breathing fast, Fawning, fondling, breathing fast, Fawning, fondling, breathing fast, Fawning, fondling, breathing fast, Fawning, fondling, breathing fast, In a tender trouble.

In a tender trouble.

In a tender trouble.

In a tender trouble.

In a tender trouble.


And this dog was satisfied And this dog was satisfied And this dog was satisfied And this dog was satisfied And this dog was satisfied If a pale thin hand would glide If a pale thin hand would glide If a pale thin hand would glide If a pale thin hand would glide If a pale thin hand would glide Down his dewlaps sloping,— Stroking and reposing Down his dewlaps sloping,— Down his dewlaps sloping,— Down his dewlaps sloping,— Which he pushed his nose within, Down his ears, and o'er his head, Which he pushed his nose within, Which he pushed his nose within, Which he pushed his nose within, After,—platforming his chin With an open palm, he laid After,—platforming his chin After,—platforming his chin After,—platforming his chin On the palm left open.

Afterward, his nose in.

On the palm left open.

On the palm left open.

On the palm left open.


This dog, if a friendly voice This dog, if a friendly voice This dog, if a friendly voice This dog, if a friendly voice Call him now to blyther choice Call him now to blyther choice Call him now to blyther choice Call him now to blyther choice Than such chamber-keeping, Than such chamber-keeping, Than such chamber-keeping, Than such chamber-keeping, ‘Come out!’ praying from the door,— ‘Come out!’ praying from the door,— ‘Come out!’ praying from the door,— ‘Come out!’ praying from the door,— Presseth backward as before, Presseth backward as before, Presseth backward as before, Presseth backward as before, Up against me leaping.



Up against me leaping.

Up against me leaping.

Up against me leaping.


Therefore to this dog will I, Therefore to this dog will I, Therefore to this dog will I, Therefore to this dog will I, Therefore to this dog will I, Tenderly not scornfully, Tenderly not scornfully, Tenderly not scornfully, Tenderly not scornfully, Tenderly not scornfully, Render praise and favour: Render praise and favour: Render praise and favour: Render praise and favour: Render praise and favour: With my hand upon his head, With my hand upon his head, With my hand upon his head, With my hand upon his head, With my hand upon his head, Is my benediction said Is my benediction said Is my benediction said Is my benediction said Is my benediction said Therefore, and for ever.

Therefore, and for ever.

Therefore, and for ever.

Therefore, and for ever.

Therefore, and for ever.


And because he loves me so, And because he loves me so, And because he loves me so, And because he loves me so, And because he loves me so, Better than his kind will do Better than his kind will do Better than his kind will do Better than his kind will do Better than his kind will do Often, man or woman, Often, man or woman, Often, man or woman, Often, man or woman, Often, man or woman, Give I back more love again Give I back more love again Give I back more love again Give I back more love again Give I back more love again Than dogs often take of men, Than dogs often have of men -- Than dogs often take of men ,-- Than dogs often take of men ,-- Than dogs often take of men ,-- Leaning from my Human.

Leaning from my Human.

Leaning from my Human.

Leaning from my Human.

Leaning from my Human.


Blessings on thee, dog of mine, Blessings on thee, dog of mine, Blessings on thee, dog of mine, Blessings on thee, dog of mine, Blessings on thee, dog of mine, Pretty collars make thee fine, Pretty collars make thee fine, Pretty collars make thee fine, Pretty collars make thee fine, Pretty collars make thee fine, Sugared milk make fat thee! Sugared milk make fat thee! Sugared milk make fat thee! Sugared milk make fat thee! Sugared milk make fat thee! Pleasures wag on in thy tail, Pleasures wag on in thy tail, Pleasures wag on in thy tail, Pleasures wag on in thy tail, Pleasures wag on in thy tail, Hands of gentle motion fail Hands of gentle motion fail Hands of gentle motion fail Hands of gentle motion fail Hands of gentle motion fail Nevermore, to pat thee! Nevermore, to pat thee! Nevermore, to pat thee! Nevermore, to pat thee! Nevermore, to pat thee!
Downy pillow take thy head,

Downy pillow take thy head,

Downy pillow take thy head,

Downy pillow take thy head,

Downy pillow take thy head,

Silken coverlid bestead, Silken coverlid bested-- Silken coverlid bestead, Silken coverlid bestead, Silken coverlid bestead, Sunshine help thy sleeping! Sunshine help thy sleeping! Sunshine help thy sleeping! Sunshine help thy sleeping! Sunshine help thy sleeping! No fly’s buzzing wake thee up, No fly’s buzzing rouse thee up, No fly’s buzzing wake thee up, No fly’s buzzing wake thee up, No fly’s buzzing wake thee up, No man break thy purple cup, No man break thy purple cup, No man break thy purple cup, No man break thy purple cup, No man break thy purple cup, Set for drinking deep in. Set for drinking deep in. Set for drinking deep in. Set for drinking deep in. Set for drinking deep in.
Whiskered cats arointed flee,

Bearded cats arointed flee !

Whiskered cats arointed flee,

Whiskered cats arointed flee,

Whiskered cats arointed flee,

Sturdy stoppers keep from thee Sturdy stoppers keep from thee Sturdy stoppers keep from thee Sturdy stoppers keep from thee Sturdy stoppers keep from thee Cologne distillations; Cologne distillations; Cologne distillations; Cologne distillations; Cologne distillations; Nuts lie in thy path for stones, Nuts lie in thy path for stones, Nuts lie in thy path for stones, Nuts lie in thy path for stones, Nuts lie in thy path for stones, And thy feast-day macaroons And thy feast-day macaroons And thy feast-day macaroons And thy feast-day macaroons And thy feast-day macaroons Turn to daily rations!

Turn to daily rations!

Turn to daily rations!

Turn to daily rations!

Turn to daily rations!


Mock I thee, in wishing weal?— Mock I thee, in wishing weal?— Mock I thee, in wishing weal?— Mock I thee, in wishing weal?— Mock I thee, in wishing weal?— Tears are in my eyes to feel Rather could I weep to feel Tears are in my eyes to feel Tears are in my eyes to feel Tears are in my eyes to feel Thou art made so straightly, Thou art made so straightly, Thou art made so straightly, Thou art made so straightly, Thou art made so straightly, Blessing needs must straighten too,— Blessing needs must straighten too,— Blessing needs must straighten too,— Blessing needs must straighten too,— Blessing needs must straighten too,— Little canst thou joy or do, Little canst thou joy and do, Little canst thou joy or do, Little canst thou joy or do, Little canst thou joy or do, Thou who lovest greatly .

Thou who lovest greatly .

Thou who lovest greatly .

Thou who lovest greatly .

Thou who lovest greatly .


Yet be blessëd to the height Yet be blessëd to the height Yet be blessëd to the height Yet be blessëd to the height Yet be blessëd to the height Of all good and all delight Of all dream and all delight Of all good and all delight Of all good and all delight Of all good and all delight Pervious to thy nature; Pervious to thy nature; Pervious to thy nature; Pervious to thy nature; Pervious to thy nature; Only loved beyond that line, Only loved beyond that line, Only loved beyond that line, Only loved beyond that line, Only loved beyond that line, With a love that answers thine, Worthily of love of thine, With a love that answers thine, With a love that answers thine, With a love that answers thine, Loving fellow-creature! Loving fellow-creature! Loving fellow-creature! Loving fellow-creature! Loving fellow-creature!