THE DYING HUNTER TO HIS DOG - Susanna Moodie Poems

THE DYING HUNTER TO HIS DOG

Lie down -- lie down! -- my noble hound,
      That joyful bark give o'er;
It wakes the lonely echoes round,
      But rouses me no more --
Thy lifted ears, thy swelling chest,
      Thy eyes so keenly bright,
No longer kindle in my breast
      The thrill of fierce delight;
When following thee on foaming steed
My eager soul outstripped thy speed --

Lie down -- lie down -- my faithful hound!
      And watch this night by me,
For thee again the horn shall sound
      By mountain, stream, and tree;
And thou along the forest glade,
      Shall track the flying deer
When cold and silent, I am laid
      In chill oblivion here.
Another voice shall cheer thee on,
And glory when the chase is won.

Lie down -- lie down! -- my gallant hound!
      Thy master's life is sped;
Go -- couch thee on the dewy ground --
      'Tis thine to watch the dead.
But when the blush of early day
      Is kindling up the sky,
Then speed thee, faithful friend, away,
      And to thy mistress hie;
And guide her to this lonely spot,
Though my closed eyes behold her not --

Lie down -- lie down! -- my trusty hound!
      Death comes, and we must part --
In my dull ear strange murmurs sound --
      More faintly throbs my heart;
The many twinkling lights of heaven
      Scarce glimmer in the blue --
Chill round me falls the breath of even,
      Cold on my brow the dew;
Earth, stars, and heavens, are lost to sight --
The chase is o'er! -- brave friend, good night! --

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