Old Dog Quotes
The Firmest Friend

Near this spot are deposited the
Remains of one who possessed

Beauty with Vanity,
Strength without Insolence,
Courage without Ferosity,
and all the virtues of Man without his Vices.

This praise, which would be Unmeaning
Flattery if inscribed over Human Ashes,
is but just Tribute to the
Memory of BOATSWAIN, a DOG. 

Who was born in
Newfoundland May 1803
and died at Newstead Nov. 18th 1808.

When some proud Son of Man returns to Earth,
Unknown by Glory, but upheld by Birth ,
the sculptor's art exausts the pomp of woe,
And stories urns record that 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 Masters own,
Who labours, fights, lives, breathes for himalone,
Unhonour'd falls,
unnotic'd all his worth,
Deny'd 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,
Debas'd 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,
They smiles hypocrisy,
thy words deceit! 
 

By nature vile, ennoble but by name,
Each kindred brute might bid three blush for Shame. 
Ye, who perchance behold this simple urn, Pass on,
it honours none you wish to mourn. 
To make a friend's remains these stones arise;

I never knew but one -
and here he lies.