April 10, 1909

Algernon Charles Swinburne (April 5, 1837 to April 10, 1909) was an English poet, and man of letters. We read that he was considered for the Nobel Prize each year from 1903 to 1907. We do not value his poetry today, as highly as he himself did, but the following lines written to a cat, are quite lovely.

Stately, kindly, lordly friend,

Condescend
Here to sit by me, and turn
Glorious eyes that smile and burn,
Golden eyes, love's lustrous meed,
On the golden page I read.

All your wondrous wealth of hair,

Dark and fair,
Silken-shaggy, soft and bright
As the clouds and beams of night',
Pays my reverent hand's caress
Back with friendlier gentleness.

Dogs may fawn on all and some

As they come;

You, a friend of loftier mind,
Answer friends alone in kind.
Just your foot upon my hand
Softly bids it understand.