Raggie

Come, Raggie, little fellow, speak!

The woprship in your eyes

Is like the homage of the meek

That swift to cover flies

When one has seen the yearning look.

Which taken unawares,

Is plain as reading in a book,

Devout as Christian prayers.

Don't wiggle so, you little wretch,

You can't conceal your love.

The more you roll your eyes and stretch

Your little paws above

The towsled head, the flapping ears,

The plainer 'tis to see

That you'd stick by me through the years

And one day die for me.

What means that wagging of the tail, 

That squirming inside out?

Such antics, Raggie, never fail

To banish any doubt

That I'm the object you adore,

The apple of your eye.

I see it, Raggie, more and more

In every ruse you try.

Now stand up tall -- there -- that's a chap

And shake me by the hand.

And tell me with your silly yap --

That's talk we understand.

Tell me -- that's right -- one, two, three.

A pledge, old boy, that you

And  I will always faithful be,

Though times may go askew.

Now roll, three times upon the ground

One, two . . . three times, I said!

Ah, Rags, you stubborn little hound

I'll stand you on your head.

You'll do it then? You will? That's fine!

That whimpering is droll.

You love to be that slave of mine.

See how you cringe and roll!

Oh -- so?  And now you're playing dead.

That tail across your nose

Almost conceals your fuzzy head;

You're wiggling your toes!

Why don't you shut that other eye?

Dead dogs don't ever peek.

Poor doggie's dead . . . ah me -- oh my --

I'll stroke your fur down sleek.

Well - good-bye, Raggie -- I'll be off

To ramble in the wood.

Too bad you cannot go along,

As dog and master should.

What's that --? You're coming -- dead or no?

You are! Well, stop that yelp

Before another step we go --

You cunning little whelp!

(Copyright, 1940)