 | Miscellany Poems |  |
On a Faithfull Dog.
Most
Loyal Creature! whom no Bribes can bend:
Still thou untaught thy Master dost defend.
Lov'st generous Actions, that will bear the Light,
Irreconcilable to deeds of Night.
To Thieves and Villains a professed Foe,
And what soe're doth hidden treachery know.
Ne're in distress didst leave thy wretched Lord,
But didst at Life's expence thy help afford.
From thy indulgent Master ne're didst fly.
Nor e're betray'd the hand, that nourish'd Thee.
But when all Loyal help is try'd in vain.
True and unmov'd dost by his side remain,
And dost thy Faith in Fates extreams maintain:
Well did the fierce Numidia's Prudent Lord
Choose from thy tribe his uncorrupted Guard.
Still thou untaught thy Master dost defend.
Lov'st generous Actions, that will bear the Light,
Irreconcilable to deeds of Night.
To Thieves and Villains a professed Foe,
And what soe're doth hidden treachery know.
Ne're in distress didst leave thy wretched Lord,
But didst at Life's expence thy help afford.
From thy indulgent Master ne're didst fly.
Nor e're betray'd the hand, that nourish'd Thee.
But when all Loyal help is try'd in vain.
True and unmov'd dost by his side remain,
And dost thy Faith in Fates extreams maintain:
Well did the fierce Numidia's Prudent Lord
Choose from thy tribe his uncorrupted Guard.
Thy Life shames giddy Man's; for He's a slave
To every Veering Wind and Dancing Wave.
Him Gold, or Spleen, or Flattery moves to range,
Or, what is worse, meerly the Love of change.
He knows nor Gratitude, nor Honour's Laws,
But in extremity his help withdraws,
And leaves his Lord to th' mercy of his Foes.—
Villains or Fools the noisy Crowds compose;
Or sprightly Traytors, or dull stupid Logs;
How are they honour'd, if we style them Dogs?
To every Veering Wind and Dancing Wave.
Him Gold, or Spleen, or Flattery moves to range,
Or, what is worse, meerly the Love of change.
22
But in extremity his help withdraws,
And leaves his Lord to th' mercy of his Foes.—
Villains or Fools the noisy Crowds compose;
Or sprightly Traytors, or dull stupid Logs;
How are they honour'd, if we style them Dogs?
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