The New York Journal, And Daily Patriotic Register

POET's CORNER.

For the Daily Patriotic Register.

An ELEGY on the DEATH of a FAVOURITE
DOG.

Let other Bards the hero's virtues shine
And praise the arts which desolate mankind.
Or with the amorous's plaintive lore
A fav'rite female flatter or adore;
To diff'rent worthies I direct my praise,
And Philo's virtues now inspire my lays,
While I with tears recall his fatal day,
This tribute to his mem'ry I'll repay,
The odious vices envy, hatred, pride,
Could never in his peaceful breast reside,
He was always cheerful and benign,
And Puss and he would oft together dine,
In his misfortunes he made no complaint
But left examples worthy of a saint.
Oft I've observ'd, while with sagacious look
He watch'd the passions which my eyes bespoke;
Nor did his wisdom less itself display
In his attempts my anger to allay
With care he guarded my inclosure round,
And taught intruders to observe the bound,
Yet if they dar'd the boundary to invade
His justice stopp'd, if warnings were obey'd;
But now exulting, they behold his fall
And with boldness scale the circling wall,
Forgetful, oft I call my Philo o'er
But all is silent, and he hears no more,
While keen reflection brings the hour nigh
And I again behold my fav'rite die,
The scene again its horrors does display
And, I like Job, could curse that cruel day.
Can I forget with what a pleasant look
He came to greet me when that man awoke ?
Some bus'ness call'd me to a city near,
While he attended with his usual cheer;
To passengers he kind politeness show'd
And play'd his gambols all along the road.
Some dogs in wild procession cross'd the plain,
Thus as I rode, and near the city came,
Philo approach'd, saluted them as friends
With all the coolness innocence inspires;
They fell upon him with relentless rage,
In quarrels skill'd and hardened by age,
But malice triumph'd and poor Philo dy'd,
Some hospitable, to relieve him try'd,
His friend stood still, beheld him as he lay,
Then dropt a tear and slowly walk'd away.

E. W. B.