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.