Wednesday, May 26, 2010

A memorial to Boatswain

Near this spot
Are deposited the Remains of one
Who possessed Beauty without Vanity,
Strength without Insolence,
Courage without Ferocity,
And all the Virtues of Man without his Vices.
This Praise, which would be unmeaning Flattery
If inscribed over human ashes,
Is but a just tribute to the Memory of
Boatswain, a Dog
Who was born at Newfoundland, May, 1803,
And died at Newstead, Nov 18th, 1808.

Lord Byron
Newstead Abbey, November 30, 1808.