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Robert Southey - On The Death Of A Favourite Old SpanielRobert Southey - On The Death Of A Favourite Old Spaniel
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And they have drown`d thee then at last! poor Phillis! The burthen of old age was heavy on thee. And yet thou should`st have lived! what tho` thine eye Was dim, and watch`d no more with eager joy The wonted call that on thy dull sense sunk With fruitless repetition, the warm Sun Would still have cheer`d thy slumber, thou didst love To lick the hand that fed thee, and tho` past Youth`s active season, even Life itself Was comfort. Poor old friend! most earnestly Would I have pleaded for thee: thou hadst been Still the companion of my childish sports, And, as I roam`d o`er Avon`s woody clifts, From many a day-dream has thy short quick bark Recall`d my wandering soul. I have beguil`d Often the melancholy hours at school, Sour`d by some little tyrant, with the thought Of distant home, and I remember`d then Thy faithful fondness: for not mean the joy, Returning at the pleasant holydays, I felt from thy dumb welcome. Pensively Sometimes have I remark`d thy slow decay, Feeling myself changed too, and musing much On many a sad vicissitude of Life! Ah poor companion! when thou followedst last Thy master`s parting footsteps to the gate That clos`d for ever on him, thou didst lose Thy truest friend, and none was left to plead For the old age of brute fidelity! But fare thee well! mine is no narrow creed, And HE who gave thee being did not frame The mystery of life to be the sport Of merciless man! there is another world For all that live and move—a better one! Where the proud bipeds, who would fain confine INFINITE GOODNESS to the little bounds Of their own charity, may envy thee!
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