[ Wolcot / "Ode: Rich as Dutch cargoes from the fragrant East"]
"Peter Pindar" was the pseudonym of British writer John Wolcot (1738 - 1819), best known for his satirical poems lampooning important politcal and cultural figures of his day.
This particular poem appeared in Lyric Odes for the Year 1785, published in 1787 (London: G. Kearsley).
The only reference to Newfoundlands in this brief excerpt from the poem is metaphorical, occurring in a passage in which Wolcot is ridiculing one of the king's courtiers, Sir Charles Thompson, for being overly obsequious and deferential. In the metaphor, Thompson is the "little fearful puppy" while the noble Newfoundland reprents King George III.
Thus when a little fearful puppy meets
A noble Newfoundland dog in the streets
He creeps, and whines, and licks the lofty brute;
Curls round him, falls upon his back, and then
Springs up and gambols — frisks it back agen,
And crawls in dread submission to his foot;
Looks up, and hugs his neck, and seems t'intreat him,
With ev'ry mark of terror, not to eat him.
The Newfoundland dog, conscious of his might,
Cocks high his tail and ears, his state to show;
Then lifts his leg (a little unpolite)
And almost drowns the Supplicant below;
Then seems, in full-blown majesty, to say,
"Great is my power but, lo! I'll not abuse it;
"I'm Caesar, paltry creature, go thy way;
"But mind, I can devour thee, if I chuse it."