ON AN IRISH RETRIEVER.
Ten years of loving loyalty
Unthank'd should not go to the earth,
And I, who had no less from thee,
Devote this tribute to thy worth.
For thou didst give to me, old friend,
Thy service while thy life did last;
But life and service have an end,
And here I thank thee for the past.
Trusted and faithful, tried and true,
Watchful and swift to do my will;
Grateful for care that was thy due,
To duty's call obedient still.
From ill thou knew'st thou didst refrain,
The good thou knew'st thou strov'st to do,
Nor dream of fame nor dread of gain,
Man's keenest spurs, urg'd thee thereto.
Brute with a heart of human love,
And deep, mysterious instinct fine,
How few by reason's law who move,
Deserve an epitaph like thine.
