Beau's Reply

Sir, when I flew to seize the bird

In spite of your command,

A louder voice than yours I heard,

And harder to withstand.

You cried—forbear!—but in my breast

A mightier cried—proceed—

'Twas Nature, Sir, whose strong behest

Impell'd me to the deed.

Yet much as Nature I respect,

I ventur'd once to break,

(As you, perhaps, may recollect)

Her precept for your sake;

And when your linnet on a day,

Passing his prison door,

Had flutter'd all his strength away,

And panting press'd the floor,

Well knowing him a sacred thing,

Not destin'd to my tooth,

I only kiss'd his ruffled wing,

And lick'd the feathers smooth.

Let my obedience then  excuse

My disobedience now,

Nor some reproof yourself refuse

From your aggriev'd Bow-wow;

If killing birds be such a crime,

(Which I can hardly see,)

What think you, Sir, of killing Time

With verse address'd to me?