Classic Poem

A FAITHFUL Dog, in happy service try'd,
His master lov'd, and mourn'd him when he died
With mute expression; but the thoughtless heir
Dismiss'd his father's servants from his care:
While thus his humble friends he could neglect,
What must the Dog from hands like his expect?
Nor fed, nor shelter'd, yet some weeks he stay'd,
'Till hunger's calls a change had needful made.
Then, wand'ring forth, another lord he sought,
And chance him shortly to another brought.
A youth he was of frank and gen'rous mind,
Happy himself, a friend to human kind,
Who ev'n the dumb creation gently us'd,
Nor man's vast power o'er all this world abus'd.
Poor Tray beheld him as he musing rov'd,
Poor Tray beheld, and when he saw him, lov'd. —
Nor while to tales like this we pour the strain,
The unknown sympathetic pow'r disdain
Pervading Nature; no, let us confess
We know but little , often reason less .
The gen'rous Dog the gentle youth caress'd,
Who pleasure at his fondling tricks express'd;
Tray now a follower on his steps attends,
Nor proves a flatterer for base selfish ends.
It chanc'd his master, on a summer's day,
To rural scenes all jocund held his way;
But careless as he pass'd a river's side
The sod gave way, and plung'd him in the tide;
There in the stream unwillingly he laves
Spent with the force of overwhelming waves,
Cramp'd in each limb, and strength no more his own,
Soon had he perish'd hapless and unknown;
But Tray, as on the bank he watchful stood,
Beheld, and sudden plung'd into the flood;
Nor ceas'd till by the garments that he wore
With friendly force he dragg'd him tow'rd the shore,
Where, haply, other useful aid was nigh,
While yet 'twas doubtful if he'd live or die;
But, under Heav'n, the favour that bestow'd,
His life and safety to poor Tray he ow'd.