POETRY,
I. M. " RAKISH" : A SCOTCH TERRIER.
LITTLE lad, little lad, and who's for an airing,
Who's for the river and who's for a run; Four little pads to go fitfully faring, Looking for trouble and calling it fun P Down in the sedges the water-rats revel, Up in the wood there are bunnies at play With a weather-eye wide for a Little Black Devil : But the Little Black Devil won't come to-day.
To-day at the farm the ducks may slumber, To-day may the tabbies an anthem raise; Rat and rabbit beyond all number To-day untroubled may go their ways : To-day is an end of the shepherd's labour, No more will the sheep be hunted astray; And the Irish terrier, foe and neighbour, Says, "What's old Hamish about to-day ? "
Ay, what indeed P In the nether spaces
Will the soul of a Little Black Dog despair? Will the Quiet Folk scare him with shadow-faces? And how will he tackle the Strange Beasts there ? Tail held high, I'll warrants and bristling,
Marching stoutly if sore afrald, Padding it steadily, softly whistling ;—
That's how the Little Black Devil was made.
Then well-a-day for a " cantie callant,"
A heart of gold and a soul of glee,—
Sportsman, gentleman, squire and gallant,— Teacher, maybe, of you and me.
Spread the turf on him light and level,
Grave him a headstone clear and true—
'Here lies lIamish, the Little Black Devil, And half of the heart of his mistress too."
C. HILTON DROWN.
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