The Setter And The Partridge.

        The setting dog the stubble tried,
        And snuffed the breeze with nostrils wide;
        He set - the sportsmen from behind,
        Conscious of game, the net unwind.

        A partridge, which as warder stood,
        Warned, and the covey sought the wood.
        But, ere she followed from her cover,
        Thus she discharged her mind on Rover:

        "Thou fawning slave and sneaking cheat,
        Subservient unto man's deceit!
        Disgrace unto thy honest race,
        Unto the race of dogs disgrace;
        Who ere to men they bent the knee
        Were noted for fidelity."

        The dog retorted with a sneer:
        "Since you are safe, enjoy your jeer;
        Rustic alike in kind and mind,
        And ignorant of courts refined.
        Sagacious courtiers do like me, -
        They rise to high supremacy;
        I copy them, and I inherit
        The high rewards for worth and merit."

        "I might have known," the partridge said,
        "The school where you were trained and bred;
        With a smooth brow for every crisis,
        Inherent to your master's vices.
        You came from courts: return! adieu" -
        And to her covey off she flew.