The Harp of Erin Containing the Poetical Works of the Late Thomas Dermody. In Two Volumes |
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 | II. |
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THE
BLIND BEGGAR'S ADDRESS
TO HIS DOG. |
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 | The Harp of Erin |  |
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THE BLIND BEGGAR'S ADDRESS TO HIS DOG.
Speed, grateful partner of my
darksome way,
Speed to yon stately porch with cautious pace,
To me supply the chearful beam of day,
And friendship, vainly sought amid my race!
Speed to yon stately porch with cautious pace,
To me supply the chearful beam of day,
And friendship, vainly sought amid my race!
No spaniel thou with sleek and fawning art,
When fortune wooes, to court the dainty board,
But in the rough and anguish'd hour depart,
When fortune, too, forsakes thy ruin'd lord:
When fortune wooes, to court the dainty board,
But in the rough and anguish'd hour depart,
When fortune, too, forsakes thy ruin'd lord:
From these fond arms a father's darling fled,
Lur'd by a smiling villain's crafty lore;
Where hides the wretch belov'd her shameful head,
When virgin-truth, when honour is no more?
Lur'd by a smiling villain's crafty lore;
Where hides the wretch belov'd her shameful head,
When virgin-truth, when honour is no more?
My gallant boy, too resolutely brave,
Perchance, ignobly pines in hostile chains;
Perchance, far, far from me, a sordid grave
He fills:—my faithful dog alone remains.
Perchance, ignobly pines in hostile chains;
Perchance, far, far from me, a sordid grave
He fills:—my faithful dog alone remains.
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Yet, guiltless he, of pangs that rive this breast,
Guiltless, a victim for his country's good,
But where shall fair, afflicted sorrow rest,
By penury, and pride, and scorn subdu'd?
Guiltless, a victim for his country's good,
But where shall fair, afflicted sorrow rest,
By penury, and pride, and scorn subdu'd?
Speed, trusty guide! for in yon dome reside
Plenty and peace, devoid of pompous glare;
Oh, speed! and while I stroke thy jetty side,
With me the sweetest morsel shalt thou share.
Plenty and peace, devoid of pompous glare;
Oh, speed! and while I stroke thy jetty side,
With me the sweetest morsel shalt thou share.
With ribband gay thy gentle head I'll deck,
Or tiny bell, thy weary road to chear,
Smooth the dusk beauties of thy shining neck,
And clip with harmless skill each velvet ear.
Or tiny bell, thy weary road to chear,
Smooth the dusk beauties of thy shining neck,
And clip with harmless skill each velvet ear.
With merry bark, when early dawn appears,
(No dawn to me,) thou'lt rouse my little shed,
And, though too oft my crust be steep'd in tears,
Drink from my cup, and from my food be fed.
(No dawn to me,) thou'lt rouse my little shed,
And, though too oft my crust be steep'd in tears,
Drink from my cup, and from my food be fed.
And, when in death are clos'd those watchful eyes,
Though scoffing prudence the fond tribute scorn,
On thy green tomb a modest wreath shall rise,
And gratitude remove the ruder thorn!
Though scoffing prudence the fond tribute scorn,
On thy green tomb a modest wreath shall rise,
And gratitude remove the ruder thorn!
| The Harp of Erin | |