Maggie's Star

White star! that travellest at old Maggie's pace
About my field, where'er a wandering mouth,
And foot, that slowly shifts from place to place,
Conduct thee, — East or West, or North or South;
A loving eye is my best chart to find
Thy whereabouts at dawn or dusk; but when
She dreams at noon, with heel a-tilt behind,
And pendent lip, I mark thee fairest then;
I see thee dip and vanish, when she rolls
On earth, supine; then with one rousing shake
Reculminate; but, most, thou lovest to take
A quiet onward course — Heaven's law controls
The mild, progressive motion thou dost make,
Albeit thy path is scarce above the mole's.