From those abrupt and perilous rocks 



The man had fallen, that place of fear ! 



At length upon the shepherd's mind 



It breaks, and all is clear : 



He instantly recalled the name, 



And who he was, and whence he came ; 



Remembered, too, the very day 



On which the traveller passed this way. 



But hear a wonder, for whose sake 



This lamentable tale I tell ! 



A lasting monument of words 



This wonder merits well. 



The dog, which still was hovering nigh, 



Repeating the same timid cry, 



This dog had been through three months' space 



A dweller in that savage place. 



Yes, proof was plain that since the day 

 When this ill-fated traveller died, 

 The dog had watched about the spot, 

 Or by his master's side : 

 How nourished here through such long time 

 He knows, who gave that love sublime ; 

 And gave that strength of feeling, great 

 Above all human estimate. 



William Wordsworth. 



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