Classic Poem

Farewell! a long farewell to thee,
The fleetest, bravest hound
That ever coursed on hill or lea,
Or swept the heathy ground;
Foremost, whatever dog was there,
My Marmion! slayer of the hare!

Farewell! a long farewell to thee,
The fondest, dearest, best,
That ever played around my knee,
Or leaped upon my breast;
By all belovéd, and loving all,
My Marmion! favourite of the hall!

Thou diedst when Fame's bright wreath was nearest
On Ilsley's dreary heath;
I should have sung thy triumph, dearest,
And not have mourned thy death;
Most cherished in that parting hour
Which showed thy love's undying power!

Who dreamed of death that gazed on thee?
Thy light and golden form,
Skimming along the meadowy sea,
A sunbeam in the storm!
From air and fire derived, thy birth
Had nought to do with drossy earth!

With spirit dancing in thine eye,
Love brooding in thy breast,
Gay as the flower-fed butterfly,
Calm as the turtle's nest;
Free from the care, the thought of man,
Bliss crowned thy being's little span.

And loved in life, and mourned in death,
Upon thy simple bier
The rose and myrtle's fragrant breath
Blend with affection's tear;
And proudly verdant laurels wave
Their branches o'er my Marmion's grave.

And long thy memory shall live,
And long thy well-earned fame,
And oft a sigh shall coursers give
At thy remembered name;
And long thy mistress' heart shall tell
The sadness of her last farewell!