Page:Poems on Various Subjects - Coleridge (1796).djvu/112

 The starving meal, and all the thousand aches "Which patient Merit of th' Unworthy takes?" Or is thy sad heart thrill'd with filial pain To see thy wretched shorten'd Chain? And truly, very piteous is her Lot Chain'd to a Log within a narrow spot Where the close-eaten Grass is scarcely seen, While sweet around her waves the tempting Green! Poor Ass! her Master should have learnt to shew Pity—best taught by fellowship of woe! For much I fear, that He lives, ev'n as she, Half-famish'd in a land of luxury!

How askingly It's footsteps t'ward me bend? It seems to say, "And have I then one Friend?" Innocent Foal! thou poor despis'd Forlorn! I hail thee —spite of the fool's scorn!