Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, ON A SPANIEL, CALLED BEAU, KILLING A YOUNG BIRD, by WILLIAM COWPER


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

ON A SPANIEL, CALLED BEAU, KILLING A YOUNG BIRD, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: A spaniel, beau, that fares like you
Last Line: So much resemble man?
Subject(s): Animals; Dogs


A SPANIEL, Beau, that fares like you,
Well fed, and at his ease,
Should wiser be than to pursue
Each trifle that he sees.

But you have killed a tiny bird
Which flew not till to-day,
Against my orders, whom you heard
Forbidding you the prey.

Nor did you kill that you might eat
And ease a doggish pain;
For him, though chased with furious heat,
You left where he was slain.

Nor was he of the thievish sort,
Or one whom blood allures,
But innocent was all his sport
Whom you have torn for yours.

My dog! what remedy remains,
Since, teach you all I can,
I see you, after all my pains,
So much resemble man?





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...
Home: PoetryExplorer.net