| Alexander Pope (1688–1744). Complete Poetical Works. 1903. | | | | Poems: 1708–12 | | Argus |
| | | | Written in 1709 and sent in a letter to Henry Cromwell in 1711. |
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WHEN wise Ulysses, from his native coast | |
| Long kept by wars, and long by tempests toss’d, | |
| Arrived at last, poor, old, disguised, alone, | |
| To all his friends, and ev’n his Queen unknown, | |
| Changed as he was, with age, and toils, and cares, | 5 |
| 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 rightful master knew! | 10 |
| Unfed, unhous’d, neglected, on the clay, | |
| Like an old servant now cashier’d, he lay; | |
| 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, | 15 |
| (’T was all he could) and fawn’d and kiss’d his feet, | |
| Seiz’d with dumb joy; then falling by his side, | |
| Own’d his returning lord, look’d up, and died! | | | |
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