Marinda Poems and Translations upon Several Occasions [by Mary Monck] |
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An Elegie on a Favourite Dog.
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 | Marinda |  |
An Elegie on a Favourite Dog.
To her Father.
Who can forbid the Muses Tears to flow?
On such a Subject to indulge her Woe?
Where-e'er Fidelity and Love are join'd,
They claim the Tribute of a grateful Mind.
Birds have had Funeral Rites, and with swol'n Eyes
Fair Lesbia grac'd her Sparrow's Obsequies;
His warlike Steed Young Ammon did lament,
And rais'd a City for his Monument.
That bright celestial Dog that decks the Skies,
Did by his Merit to that Honour rise:
And all the Virtues by which Men renown'd
To Heavenly Seats have climb'd, in Dogs are found.
None dare in glorious Dangers farther go,
None are more watchful to repel the Foe;
Nor are those tend'rer Qualities of Mind
That most endear us, Strangers to this Kind.
In human Race, alas! we seldom prove
So firm a Friendship, so unfeign'd a Love.
On such a Subject to indulge her Woe?
Where-e'er Fidelity and Love are join'd,
They claim the Tribute of a grateful Mind.
Birds have had Funeral Rites, and with swol'n Eyes
Fair Lesbia grac'd her Sparrow's Obsequies;
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And rais'd a City for his Monument.
That bright celestial Dog that decks the Skies,
Did by his Merit to that Honour rise:
And all the Virtues by which Men renown'd
To Heavenly Seats have climb'd, in Dogs are found.
None dare in glorious Dangers farther go,
None are more watchful to repel the Foe;
Nor are those tend'rer Qualities of Mind
That most endear us, Strangers to this Kind.
In human Race, alas! we seldom prove
So firm a Friendship, so unfeign'd a Love.
Can any then, your grateful Labours blame,
Or wonder, you shou'd to your Favourite's Name
The last just Honours pay? it were not fit
So bright a Merit shou'd in darkness set,
That he who so distinguish'd liv'd, shou'd dye,
And in the common Herd forgotten lye.
No; let a Monumental Marble tell
How dear he liv'd, and how bewail'd he fell.
Or wonder, you shou'd to your Favourite's Name
The last just Honours pay? it were not fit
So bright a Merit shou'd in darkness set,
That he who so distinguish'd liv'd, shou'd dye,
And in the common Herd forgotten lye.
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How dear he liv'd, and how bewail'd he fell.
Press gently on him Earth, and all around
Ye Flowers spring up, and deck th'enamel'd Ground;
Breath forth your choicest Odours, and perfume
With all your fragrant Sweets his little Tomb.
Ye Flowers spring up, and deck th'enamel'd Ground;
Breath forth your choicest Odours, and perfume
With all your fragrant Sweets his little Tomb.
| Marinda | |