Canadian Poetry; Survival and Fate in the Cold

The Dying Hunter to his Dog

A poem about survival, struggle and ultimate death of a hunter in the harsh, violent Canadian north. By Susanna Moodie (1803-1885)

1Lie down -- lie down! -- my noble hound,
2 That joyful bark give o'er;
3It wakes the lonely echoes round,
4 But rouses me no more --
5Thy lifted ears, thy swelling chest,
6 Thy eyes so keenly bright,
7No longer kindle in my breast
8 The thrill of fierce delight;
9When following thee on foaming steed
10My eager soul outstripped thy speed --
11Lie down -- lie down -- my faithful hound!
12 And watch this night by me,
13For thee again the horn shall sound
14 By mountain, stream, and tree;
15And thou along the forest glade,
16 Shall track the flying deer
17When cold and silent, I am laid
18 In chill oblivion here.
19Another voice shall cheer thee on,
20And glory when the chase is won.
21Lie down -- lie down! -- my gallant hound!
22 Thy master's life is sped;
23Go -- couch thee on the dewy ground --
24 'Tis thine to watch the dead.
25But when the blush of early day
26 Is kindling up the sky,
27Then speed thee, faithful friend, away,
28 And to thy mistress hie;
29And guide her to this lonely spot,
30Though my closed eyes behold her not --
31Lie down -- lie down! -- my trusty hound!
32 Death comes, and we must part --
33In my dull ear strange murmurs sound --
34 More faintly throbs my heart;
35The many twinkling lights of heaven
36 Scarce glimmer in the blue --
37Chill round me falls the breath of even,
38 Cold on my brow the dew;
39Earth, stars, and heavens, are lost to sight --
40The chase is o'er! -- brave friend, good night! --