Classic and Contemporary Poetry
INSCRIPTION ON THE MONUMENT OF A NEWFOUNDLAND DOG, by GEORGE GORDON BYRON Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: When some proud son of man returns to earth Last Line: I never knew but one, -- and here he lies. Alternate Author Name(s): Byron, Lord; Byron, 6th Baron Variant Title(s): Epitaph To A Dog Subject(s): Animals; Dogs; Nottinghamshire, England | ||||||||
WHEN some proud son of man returns to earth, Unknown to glory, but upheld by birth, The sculptor's art exhausts the pomp of woe, And storied urns record who rests below; When all is done, upon the tomb is seen, Not what he was, but what he should have been. But the poor dog, in life the firmest friend, The first to welcome, foremost to defend, Whose honest heart is still his master's own, Who labours, fights, lives, breathes for him alone, Unhonour'd falls, unnoticed all his worth, Denied in heaven the soul he held on earth: While man, vain insect! hopes to be forgiven, And claims himself a sole exclusive heaven. Oh, man! thou feeble tenant of an hour, Debased by slavery, or corrupt by power, Who knows thee well must quit thee with disgust, Degraded mass of animated dust! Thy love is lust, thy friendship all a cheat, Thy smiles hypocrisy, thy words deceit! By nature vile, ennobled but by name, Each kindred brute might bid thee blush for shame. Ye! who perchance behold this simple urn, Pass on -- it honours none you wish to mourn: To mark a friend's remains these stones arise; I never knew but one, -- and here he lies. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ALL IS VANITY, SAITH THE PREACHER' by GEORGE GORDON BYRON A FRAGMENT by GEORGE GORDON BYRON A SPIRIT PASSED BEFORE ME by GEORGE GORDON BYRON AN ODE TO THE FRAMERS OF THE FRAME BILL by GEORGE GORDON BYRON BEPPO: A VENETIAN STORY by GEORGE GORDON BYRON BY THE RIVERS OF BABYLON WE SAT DOWN AND WEPT by GEORGE GORDON BYRON CHURCHILL'S GRAVE by GEORGE GORDON BYRON DARKNESS by GEORGE GORDON BYRON DON JUAN: CANTO 1 by GEORGE GORDON BYRON DON JUAN: DEDICATION [OR, INVOCATION] by GEORGE GORDON BYRON |
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