When HE could only listen. On the sands That bind the level sea-shore, will he stray, When morn unlocks the East, and flings afar The rosy day-beam! There the boy will stop To gather the dank weeds which ocean leaves On the bleak strand, while winter o’er the main Howls its nocturnal clamour. There again He chaunts his Father’s ditty. Never more Poor mountain minstrel, shall thy bosom throb To the sweet cadence! never more thy tear Fall as the dulcet breathings give each word Expression magical! Thy Father, Boy, Sleeps on the bed of death! His tongue is mute, His fingers have forgot their pliant art, His oaten pipe will ne’er again be heard Echoing along the valley! Never more Will thy fond mother meet the balmy smile Of peace domestic, or the circling arm Of valour, temper’d by the milder joys Of rural merriment. His very name Is now forgotten! for no trophied tomb Tells of his bold exploits; such heraldry Befits not humble worth: For pomp and praise Wait in the gilded palaces of Pride To dress Ambition’s Slaves. Yet, on his grave, The unmark’d resting place of Valour’s Sons, The morning beam shines lust’rous; The meek flow’r Still drops the twilight tear, and the night breeze Moans melancholy music! Then, to ME, O! dearer far is the poor Soldier’s grave, The Widow’s lone and unregarded Cot, The brawling Brook, and the wide Alder-bough, The ozier Canopy, and plumy choir, Hymning the Morn’s return, than the rich Dome Of gilded Palaces! and sweeter far— O! far more graceful! far more exquisite, The Widow’s tear bathing the living rose, Than the rich ruby, blushing on the breast, Of guilty greatness. Welcome then to me— The WIDOW’S LOWLY HOME: The Soldier’s HEIR; The proud inheritor of Heav’n’s best gifts— The mind unshackled—and the guiltless Soul! THE _SHEPHERD’s DOG_. I. A Shepherd’s Dog there was; and he Was faithful to his master’s will, For well he lov’d his company, Along the plain or up the hill; All Seasons were, to him, the same Beneath the Sun’s meridian flame; Or, when the wintry wind blew shrill and keen, Still the Old Shepherd’s Dog, was with his Master seen. II.