Sir, When I Flew To Seize The Bird In Spite Of Your Command, A Louder Voice Than Yours I Heard, And Harder To Withstand. You Cried'Forbear!'But In My Breast A Mightier Cried'Proceed!' 'Twas Nature, Sir, Whose Strong Behest Impell'D Me To The Deed. Yet, Much As Nature I Respect, I Ventured Once To Break (As You Perhaps May Recollect) Her Precept For Your Sake; And When Your Linnet On A Day, Passing His Prison Door, Had Flutter'D All His Strength Away, And Panting Press'D The Floor. Well Knowing Him A Sacred Thing, Not Destined To My Tooth, I Only Kiss'D His Ruffled Wing, And Lick'D The Feathers Smooth. Let My Obedience Then Excuse My Disobedience Now, Nor Some Reproof Yourself Refuse From Your Aggrieved Bow-Wow: If Killing Birds Be Such A Crime (Which I Can Hardly See), What Think You, Sir, Of Killing Time With Verse Address'D To Me!