of Malines_.

DE AMICIS' _Holland_.

* * * * *

THE BLOODHOUND.

Come, Herod, my hound, from the stranger's floor!
Old friend--we must wander the world once more!
For no one now liveth to welcome us back;
So, come!--let us speed on our fated track.
What matter the region,--what matter the weather,
So you and I travel, till death, together?
And in death?--why, e'en _there_ I may still be found
By the side of my beautiful black bloodhound.

We've traversed the desert, we've traversed the sea,
And we've trod on the heights where the eagles be;
Seen Tartar, and Arab, and swart Hindoo;
(How thou pull'dst down the deer in those skies of blue;)
No joy did divide us; no peril could part
The man from his friend of the noble heart;
Aye, his _friend_; for where, where shall there ever be found
A friend like his resolute, fond bloodhound?

What, Herod, old hound! dost remember the day
When I fronted the wolves like a stag at bay?
When downward they galloped to where we stood,
Whilst I staggered with fear in the dark pine wood?
Dost remember their howlings? their horrible speed?
God, God! how I prayed for a friend in need!
And--he came! Ah, 'twas then, my dear Herod, I found
That the best of all friends was my bold bloodhound.

Men tell us, dear friend, that the noble hound
Must forever be lost in the worthless ground:
Yet "Courage," "Fidelity," "Love" (they say),
Bear _Man_, as on wings, to his skies away.
Well, Herod--go tell them whatever may be,
I'll hope I may ever be found by thee.
If in sleep,--in sleep; if with skies around,
Mayst thou follow e'en thither, my dear bloodhound!

BARRY CORNWALL.

* * * * *

HELVELLYN.

This fine poem was suggested by the affection of a dog, which kept watch
over the dead body of its master until found by friends three months
afterwards. The young man had lost his way on Helvellyn. Time, 1805.

I climbed the dark brow of the mighty Helvellyn,
Lakes and mountains beneath me gleamed misty and wide;
All was still, save by fits, when the eagle was yelling,
And starting around me the echoes replied.
On the right, Striden-edge round the Red-tarn was bending,
And Catchedicam its left verge was defending,
One huge nameless rock in the front was ascending,