When wise Ulysses, from his native coast
Long kept by wars, and long by tempests tost,
Arrived at last, poor, old, disguised, 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 master knew!
Unfed, unhous'd, neglected, on the clay
Like an old servant, now cashier'd he lay;
And, tho' e'en then expiring on the plain
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 could, and fawn'd, and kiss'd his feet,
Seized with dumb joy: then, falling by his side,
Own'd his returning lord, look'd up, and died.
--_Pope._
481
Food remains for three days in the stomach of the dog, because God knew
that his food would be scanty.
--_From the Talmud._
482
If you are in doubt whether to write a letter or not--don't! The advice
applies to doubts in life besides that of letter writing.
--_Zoroaster._
483
Our doubts are traitors,
And make us love the good we oft might win,
By fearing to attempt.
--_Shakespeare._
484