Sonnet - To Tartar, A Terrier Beauty

Snowdrop of dogs, with ear of brownest dye, Like the last orphan leaf of naked tree Which shudders in black autumn; though by thee, Of hearing careless and untutored eye, Not understood articulate speech of men Nor marked the artificial mind of books, -The mortal's voice eternized by the pen,- Yet hast thou thought and language all unknown To Babel's scholars; oft intensest looks, Long scrutiny over some dark-veined stone Dost thou bestow, learning dead mysteries Of the world's birth-day, oft in eager tone With quick-tailed fellows bandiest prompt replies, Solicitudes canine, four-footed amities.