UP, my dogs, merrily, The morn sun is shining, Our path is uncertain, And night's sombre curtain May drop on us, verily, Ere time for reclining; So, up, without whining, You rascals, instanter, Come into your places There, stretch out your traces, And off, at a canter. Up, my dogs, cheerily, The noon sun is glowing; Fast and still faster, Come, follow your master; Or to-night we may wearily, Tired and drearily, Travel, not knowing What moment disaster May sweep in the storm-blast, And over each form cast A shroud in its blowing. On, my dogs, steadily, Though keen winds are shifting The snowflakes, and drifting Them straight in your faces; Come, answer me readily, Not wildly nor headily, Plunging and lifting Your feet, keep your paces; For yet we shall weather The blizzard together, Though evil our case is. Sleep, my dogs, cosily, Coiled near the fire, That higher and higher Sheds its light rosily Out o'er the snow and sky; Sleep in the ruddy glow, Letting Keewaydin blow Fierce in his ire. Sleep, my dogs, soundly; For to-morrow we roundly Must buffet the foe. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE JAIN BIRD HOSPITAL IN DELHI by WILLIAM MEREDITH I'VE NEVER SEEN SUCH A REAL HARD TIME BEFORE' by HAYDEN CARRUTH MOTHERHOOD by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON DOWN BY THE CARIB SEA: 1. SUNRISE IN THE TROPICS by JAMES WELDON JOHNSON BROTHERHOOD (2) by EDWIN MARKHAM |