To a Young Ass: Its Mother Being Tethered Near it

1. 1Poor little Foal of an oppresséd race!
2. 2I love the languid patience of thy face:
3. 3And oft with gentle hand I give thee bread,
4. 4And clap thy ragged coat, and pat thy head.
5. 5But what thy dulled spirits hath dismay'd,
6. 6That never thou dost sport along the glade?
7. 7And (most unlike the nature of things young)
8. 8That earthward still thy moveless head is hung?
9. 9Do thy prophetic fears anticipate,
10. 10Meek Child of Misery! thy future fate?
11. 11The starving meal, and all the thousand aches
12. 12'Which patient Merit of the Unworthy takes'?
13. 13Or is thy sad heart thrill'd with filial pain
14. 14To see thy wretched mother's shorten'd chain?
15. 15And truly, very piteous is her lot--
16. 16Chain'd to a log within a narrow spot,
17. 17Where the close-eaten grass is scarcely seen,
18. 18While sweet around her waves the tempting green!

1. 19Poor Ass! thy master should have learnt to show
2. 20Pity--best taught by fellowship of Woe!
3. 21For much I fear me that He lives like thee,
4. 22Half famish'd in a land of Luxury!
5. 23How askingly its footsteps hither bend?
6. 24It seems to say, 'And have I then one friend?'
7. 25Innocent foal! thou poor despis'd forlorn!
8. 26I hail thee Brother--spite of the fool's scorn!
9. 27And fain would take thee with me, in the Dell
10. 28Of Peace and mild Equality to dwell,
11. 29Where Toil shall call the charmer Health his bride,
12. 30And Laughter tickle Plenty's ribless side!
13. 31How thou wouldst toss thy heels in gamesome play,
14. 32And frisk about, as lamb or kitten gay!
15. 33Yea! and more musically sweet to me
16. 34Thy dissonant harsh bray of joy would be,
17. 35Than warbled melodies that soothe to rest
18. 36The aching of pale Fashion's vacant breast!