Faithful Simon, weak and starving,

Following feebly in the track

Pulled upon his straining halter,

Groaned and fell beneath his pack.

23  

Vain were all the kind entreaties,

Vain the simple nursing done

To relieve his palsied weakness--

Poor old Simon's course was run.

Billy spent the night beside him,

But with next day's early dawn,

With the east's first flush of scarlet,

Simon's faithful soul passed on.

Then, with hands outstretched before him,

Half remembering what was said

When a child he saw the sexton

Sprinkle earth upon the dead--

"Dust to dust, and then to ashes--

I forget the other part--

I can't say the words I want to,

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