Famous Dog Poems and Dog
Poetry - To Flush My Dog by Elizabeth Barrett Browning
We have dedicated this section of the
site to famous Dog poems and poetry. One of the most famous dog
poems of all time is To Flush, My Dog by Elizabeth Barrett
Browning - a real treat for anyone who has never heard of this
poem. Elizabeth Barrett Browning was an English Poet and
Translator who lived between 1806 and 1861. She was educated at
the home of her strict father, who was a merchant and a
millionaire. Her work was first published in 1896.
Elizabeth
Barrett Browning came from a large and extremely wealthy family
immortalised in the movie starring Charles Laughton entitled the
Barretts of Wimpole Street. Elizabeth Barrett Browning was the
sickly child of her many brothers and sisters and the favourite of
her strict father. Elizabeth spent much of her time in her room
and began to write poetry as she was unable to leave the house.
Her interest in poetry lead to her reading some of the works of
the poet Robert Browning. They eventually met and fell in love.
Her father was much against the marriage but Robert Browning and
Elizabeth Barrett still decided to marry. A true dog
lover as can be seen by the words of her poem ' To Flush, My Dog
'. The words to the poem To Flush, My Dog demonstrate
the poets empathy with dogs. Flush provided great comfort to
Elizabeth Barrett Browning as she was an invalid , confined to the
house, for many years! We are sure that every dog lover will
take enormous pleasure from the words of the poem To Flush, My Dog
by Elizabeth Barrett Browning
To Flush, My Dog
by
Elizabeth Barrett Browning
Yet, my pretty sportive friend,
Little is't to such an end
That I praise thy rareness!
Other dogs may be thy peers
Haply in these drooping ears,
And this glossy fairness.
But of thee it shall be said,
This dog watched beside a bed
Day and night unweary
Watched within a curtained room,
Where no sunbeam brake the gloom
Round the sick and dreary.
Roses, gathered for a vase,
In that chamber died apace,
Beam and breeze resigning.
This dog only, waited on,
Knowing that when light is gone
Love remains for shining.
Other dogs in thymy dew
Tracked the hares, and followed through
Sunny moor or meadow.
This dog only, crept and crept
Next a languid cheek that slept,
Sharing in the shadow.
Other dogs of loyal cheer
Bounded at the whistle clear,
Up the woodside hieing.
This dog only, watched in reach
Of a faintly uttered speech,
Or a louder sighing.
And if one or two quick tears
Dropped upon his glossy ears,
Or a sigh came double
Up he sprang in eager haste,
Fawning, fondling, breathing fast,
In a tender trouble.
And this dog was satisfied
If a pale thin hand would glide
Down his dewlaps sloping
Which he pushed his nose within,
After—platforming his chin
On the palm left open.
To Flush, My Dog
by
Elizabeth Barrett Browning
Famous Dog Poems and Dog Poetry
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Famous Dog Poems and Dog Poetry:
Famous Dogs and their Owners
The famous dogs and their stories make fascinating reading. Try out your
knowledge of dogs, including the famous dogs and their owners by visiting
our Dog Quiz - Can you make it to the 'Winner's Hall of Fame' ?
To Flush My Dog by Elizabeth Barrett
Browning
