When wise Ulysses, from his native coast Long kept by wars, and long by tempests tost, Arriv'd at last, poor, old, disguis'd, alone, To all his friends, and ev'n his Queen, unknown, Chang'd as he was, with age, and toils, and cares, Furrow'd his rev'rend face, and white his hairs, In his own Palace forc'd to ask his bread, Scorn'd by those slaves his former bounty fed Forgot of all his own domestic crew; The faithful Dog alone his rightful Master knew! Unfed, unhous'd, neglected, on the clay, Like an old servant now cashier'd, he lay; Touch'd with resentment of ungrateful Man, And longing to behold his ancient Lord again. Him when he saw -- he rose, and crawl'd to meet, ('Twas all he cou'd) and fawn'd, and lick'd his feet, Seiz'd with dumb joy -- then falling by his side, Own'd his returning Lord, look'd up, and dy'd! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE WORLD-SOUL by RALPH WALDO EMERSON TO YOUTH by WALTER SAVAGE LANDOR DEAD LOVE by MARY MATHEWS ADAMS THE FIRESIDE CHAIRS; HUSBAND TO WIFE by WILLIAM BARNES ON THE EVE OF DEPARTURE FROM O-- by MATILDA BARBARA BETHAM-EDWARDS THE LOVE SONNETS OF PROTEUS: 67. THE THREE AGES OF WOMAN: 2 by WILFRID SCAWEN BLUNT |