Feed them some small treat.

    Notice the surprised forward flick¹ of ears，

    the lightening and softening²

    of their large， beautiful eyes.

    How kindly³ they look on you

    the next time you approach.

    You are not the first to have discovered this.

    Soldiers， winter-camped

    on drear ill-chosen marshes⁴，

    where the great cat Starvation

    lifted her paw，

    allowed me and beasts to creep

    a few inches away from death，

    and lay wriggling⁵ her haunches，

    ready to spring——

    these soldiers heartened themselves

    by saving morsels⁶ of biscuit，

    warmed themselves， briefly⁷，

    in their horses' gladdening eyes.

    1700s Europe