Page:The poetical works of Matthew Arnold, 1897.djvu/506

468 Soon, soon the days conviction bring.

The collie hair, the collie swing,

The tail's indomitable ring,

The eye's unrest—

The case was clear; a mongrel thing

Kai stood confest.

But all those virtues, which commend

The humbler sort who serve and tend,

Were thine in store, thou faithful friend.

What sense, what cheer!

To us, declining tow'rds our end,

A mate how dear!

For Max, thy brother-dog, began

To flag, and feel his narrowing span.

And cold, besides, his blue blood ran,

Since, 'gainst the classes,

He heard, of late, the Grand Old Man

Incite the masses.

Yes, Max and we grew slow and sad;

But Kai, a tireless shepherd-lad,

Teeming with plans, alert, and glad

In work or play,

Like sunshine went and came, and bade

Live out the day!

Still, still I see the figure smart—

Trophy in mouth, agog to start,

Then, home return'd, once more depart;

Or prest together

Against thy mistress, loving heart,

In winter weather.