Classic Poem

By nature fierce, at length subdued and mild
To each kind office of a duteous child,
Who a dark sire guides through the pressing throng:
See how yon terrier gently leads along
The feeble beggar to his customed stand,
With piteous tale to woo the bounteous hand;
In willing bonds, but master of the way,
Ne'er leads that trusted friend his charge astray,
With slow, soft step, as conscious of his care,
As if his own deep sorrows formed the prayer;
Should yielding charity the scrip supply,
Though hunger pressed, untouched the boon would lie;
Eyes to the blind, he notes the passing thief,
And guards the good Samaritan's relief;
A faithful steward 'midst unbounded power,
Patient he waits the home returning hour;
Then reconducts his master to his shed,
And grateful banquets on the coarsest bread.
And were that cheerless shed by Fortune placed
In the deep cavern, on the naked waste,
The sport of every storm, unroofed and bare,
This faithful slave would find a palace there,
Would feel the labours of his love o'erpaid
Near to his monarch master's pillow laid;
Unchanged by change of circumstance or place:
Oh sacred lesson to a prouder race!