title: To Spadille
author: Henry Livingston Jr.
date: c. 1786
source: Henry Livingston's manuscript poetry book (Thomas Collection; scans and transcription on henrylivingston.com). URL: https://www.henrylivingston.com/writing/poetry/spadille.htm (fetched via https://web.archive.org/web/20250213184630/http://www.henrylivingston.com/writing/poetry/spadille.htm)
form: iambic tetrameter
lines: 26
attribution: certain
notes: Light love poem addressed to a lap-dog (Spadille) on Delia's lap. Site transcription reads "four-led'd" (index gives "four-leg'd"). Site heading/headnote: To Spadille MS scan: https://www.henrylivingston.com/writing/poetry/doublepages/doublepage40-41.htm

Thou little four-led'd paltry varlet
It makes my colour rise like scarlet
To see thee jump upon a knee
Where I would give the world to be;
Nay, I could name the very time
When I beheld that nose of thine
Approach those lips which once to kiss
I felt the height of all my bliss.
These eyes have seen thy head at rest
Upon my lovely Delia's breast;

A breast from beauty's model made
Where all the loves & graces play'd.
I've seen thee gaze upon those eyes
Where roguish Cupid ever lyes
And meet a glance so soft - so kind
That envy fill'd my aching mind.

Spadille, in pity to my pain
Attempt thy perness to restrain -
- It hurts my soul to see a waste
Of fondness thou canst never taste.

Could I but take thy envied place
I'd gaze upon her lovely face
Till all inflamed with her charms
Around her neck I'd throw my arms
And riot in a sea of blisses
While giving & receiving kisses.