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Boatswain was a Newfoudland Hound born in Canada who came to this country as Lord Byron's pet. He was devoted to the dog, and is said to have nursed him through his final illness, rabies, which these days could easily have been prevented with a routine vaccination. The following elegy is to be found on a memorial at Newstead Abbey: |
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Near this Spot
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are deposited the Remains of one
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who possessed Beauty without Vanity,
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Strength without Insolence,
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Courage without Ferosity,
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and all the virtues of Man without his Vices.
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This praise, which would be unmeaning Flattery
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if inscribed over human Ashes,
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is but a just tribute to the Memory of
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BOATSWAIN, a DOG,
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who was born in Newfoundland May 1803
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and died at Newstead Nov. 18, 1808.
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When some proud Son of Man returns to Earth,
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Unknown by Glory, but upheld by Birth,
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The sculptor’s art exhausts the pomp of woe,
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And storied urns record who rests below.
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When all is done, upon the Tomb is seen,
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Not what he was, but what he should have been.
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But the poor Dog, in life the firmest friend,
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The first to welcome, foremost to defend,
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Whose honest heart is still his Master's own,
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Who labours, fights, lives, breathes for him alone,
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Unhonour'd falls, unnotic'd all his worth,
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Denied in heaven the Soul he held on earth
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While man, vain insect! hopes to be forgiven,
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And claims himself a sole exclusive heaven.
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Oh man! thou feeble tenant of an hour,
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Debased by slavery, or corrupt by power
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Who knows thee well must quit thee with disgust,
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Degraded mass of animated dust!
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Thy love is lust, thy friendship all a cheat,
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Thy smiles hypocrisy, thy words deceit!
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By nature vile, ennobled but by name,
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Each kindred brute might bid thee blush for shame.
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Ye, who behold perchance this simple urn,
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Pass on, it honours none you wish to mourn.
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To mark a friend's remains these stones arise;
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I never knew but one - and here he lies.
Recent information has shed light on a deception played by Lord Byron on his lady admirers. In the days before photography, it was the custom to present your admirers with a locket containing a piece of your hair.
It has been suggested that Lord Byron returned the favour using hair from Boatswain as a substitute and private joke.
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