He Is Na Dog, He Is a Lam

He Is Na Dog, He Is A Lam is a poem by William Dunbar addressed to Queen Margaret Tudor of Scotland.

[1][2] The theme of the poem follows on from the same author's work "Of James Dog" in which Dunbar had complained about the allegedly rude behaviour of the Queen's servant of the same name.

While praising Dog extravagantly for his good nature and helpfulness the poet introduces new insults which are far more offensive than the previous ones.

[1][2] Then with mock sympathy for the man he has just praised he prays that Dog's wife, who supposedly beats her husband, should be "drowned in a dam.

[1][2] Dunbar then seamlessly returns to his praise of the "obedient" James Dog and so concludes the poem.