Or I first entering introduce the way?

Wait for a space without, but wait not long;

This is the house of violence and wrong:

Some rude insult thy reverend age may bear;

For like their lawless lords the servants are.”


“Just is, O friend! thy caution, and address’d

(Replied the chief, to no unheedful breast:)

The wrongs and injuries of base mankind

Fresh to my sense, and always in my mind.

The bravely-patient to no fortune yields:

On rolling oceans, and in fighting fields,

Storms have I pass’d, and many a stern debate;

And now in humbler scene submit to fate.

What cannot want? The best she will expose,

And I am learn’d in all her train of woes;

She fills with navies, hosts, and loud alarms,

The sea, the land, and shakes the world with arms!”


Thus, near the gates conferring as they drew,

Argus, the dog, his ancient master knew:

He not unconscious of the voice and tread,

Lifts to the sound his ear, and rears his head;

Bred by Ulysses, nourish’d at his board,

But, ah! not fated long to please his lord;

To him, his swiftness and his strength were vain;

The voice of glory call’d him o’er the main.

Till then in every sylvan chase renown’d,

With Argus, Argus, rung the woods around;

With him the youth pursued the goat or fawn,

Or traced the mazy leveret o’er the lawn.

Now left to man’s ingratitude he lay,

Unhoused, neglected in the public way;

And where on heaps the rich manure was spread,

Obscene with reptiles, took his sordid bed.


He knew his lord; he knew, and strove to meet;

In vain he strove to crawl and kiss his feet;

Yet (all he could) his tail, his tears, his eyes,

Salute his master, and confess his joys.

Soft pity touch’d the mighty master’s soul;

Adown his cheek a tear unbidden stole,

Stole unperceived: he turn’d his head and dried

The drop humane: then thus impassion’d cried:


“What noble beast in this abandon’d state

Lies here all helpless at Ulysses’ gate?