In the grounds of Newstead Abbey, nr Mansfield, England is this 200 yr old monument to the poet Byron's faithful friend. The words read: Near this spot Are deposited the Remains of one Who possessed Beauty without Vanity, Strength without Insolence, Courage without Ferocity, And all the Virtues of Man without his Vices. This praise, which would be unmeaning flattery If inscribed over Human Ashes, Is but a just tribute to the Memory of BOATSWAIN, a DOG Who was born in Newfoundland, May, 1803, And died at Newstead, Nov. 18, 1808. When some proud son of man returns to earth, Unknown by glory, but upheld by birth, The sculptor’s art exhausts the pomp of woe, And storied urns record who rests below. When all is done, upon the tomb is seen, Not what he was, but what he should have been. But the poor Dog, in life the firmest friend, The first to welcome, foremost to defend, Whose honest heart is still his master’s own, Who labors, fights, lives, breathes for him alone, Unhonoured falls, unnoticed all his worth, Deny'd in heaven the Soul he held on earth. While man, vain insect! hopes to be forgiven, And claims himself a sole exclusive heaven. Oh man! thou feeble tenant of an hour, Debas'd by slavery, or corrupt by power Who knows thee well must quit thee with disgust, Degraded mass of animated dust! Thy love is lust, thy friendship all a cheat, Thy tongue hypocrisy, thy heart deceit. By nature vile, ennobled but by name, Each kindred brute might bid thee blush for shame. Ye who behold perchance this simple urn, Pass on, it honours none you wish to mourn. To mark a friend’s remains these stones arise; I never knew but one and here he lies. ____________________________________ What is not apparent from this photo is that the monument is sited exactly where the high altar would have been in the old abbey. Greater love hath no man... ____________________________________ Sorry for the small image. I hope to get a better one on my next visit.