O Reader! had you in your mind Such stores as silent thought can bring, O gentle Reader! you would find What more I have to say is short, It is no tale; but, should you think, One summer-day I chanced to see The mattock tottered in his hand; So vain was his endeavour, That at the root of the old tree "You're overtasked, good Simon Lee, I struck, and with a single blow At which the poor Old Man so long The tears into his eyes were brought, And thanks and praises seemed to run -I've heard of hearts unkind, kind deeds With coldness still returning, Alas! the gratitude of men Hath oftener left me mourning. XII. INCIDENT CHARACTERISTIC OF A FAVOURITE DOG. ON his morning rounds the Master He hath comrades in his walk; Four dogs, each pair of different breed, Distinguished two for scent, and two for speed. See a hare before him started! Off they fly in earnest chase; Every dog is eager-hearted, All the four are in the race: Hath an instinct what to do ; Her hope is near: no turn she makes; But, like an arrow, to the river takes. Deep the River was, and crusted Thinly by a one night's frost; But the nimble Hare hath trusted To the ice, and safely crost; She hath crost, and without heed All are following at full speed, When, lo! the ice, so thinly spread, Breaks and the Greyhound, DART, is over head! Better fate have PRINCE and SWALLOW See them cleaving to the sport! MUSIC has no heart to follow, Little MUSIC, she stops short. She hath neither wish nor heart, A loving Creature she, and brave! And fondly strives her struggling Friend to save. From the brink her paws she stretches, Very hands as you would say! And afflicting moans she fetches, As he breaks the ice away. Him alone she sees and hears, Makes efforts and complainings; nor gives o'er Until her Fellow sank, and re-appeared no more. XIII. TRIBUTE TO THE MEMORY OF THE SAME DOG. LIE here, without a record of thy worth, Or want of love, that here no Stone we raise ; Yet they to whom thy virtues made thee dear I grieved for thee, and wished thy end were past; And willingly have laid thee here at last: For thou hadst lived, till every thing that cheers |