With the Editor added to make up the three of an Athanasian Trinity, And render the believers in our 'Articles' sensible, How many must combine to form one Incomprehensible"! December 9, 1813. [Stanzas 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, first published, Letters and Journals, 1830, i. 471-474: stanzas 6, 7, 9, 13, 14, 15, 16, 1927, were published for the first time in 1903, from an autograph MS. in the possession of the Earl of Ilchester.] [ANOTHER VERSION.] ON A ROYAL VISIT TO THE VAULTS. [OR CÆSAR'S DISCOVERY OF C. I. AND H. 8 IN YE SAME VAULT.] FAMED for their civil and domestic quarrels See heartless Henry lies by headless Charles; Between them stands another sceptred thing, It lives, it reigns - "aye, every inch a king." Charles to his people, Henry to his wife, In him the double tyrant starts to life: Justice and Death have mixed their dust in vain The royal Vampires join and rise again. What now can tombs avail, since these disgorge The blood and dirt1 of both to mould a George! [First published, 1903.] ICH DIEN. FROM this emblem what variance your motto evinces, For the Man is his country's the Arms are the Prince's! ? 1814. [First published, 1903.] CONDOLATORY ADDRESS TO SARAH COUNTESS OF JERSEY, ON THE PRINCE REGENT'S RETURNING HER PICTURE TO MRS MEE.2 WHEN the vain triumph of the imperial lord, made on completing the mausoleum which George III. caused to be built in the tombhouse. The Prince Regent was informed of the circumstance, and on April 1, 1813, the day after the funeral of his mother-in-law the Duchess of Brunswick, he superintended in person the opening of the leaden coffin, which bore the inscription, "King Charles, 1648."] · [Πηλὸν αἵματι πεφυραμένον, I 2 "Clay kneaded with blood." Suetonius, in Tiberium, cap. 57.] [Mrs Anne Mee (1775?-1851) was a miniature-painter, who was employed by the Prince Regent to take the portraits of fashionable beauties.] But then he is sadly deficient in whisker; and wore but a starless blue coat, and ANSWER TO 'S PROFESSIONS OF AFFECTION. IN hearts like thine ne'er may I hold a place Till I renounce all sense, all shame, all But dear to those presiding at the helm Is basely purchased, not with gold alone; Add Conscience, too, this bargain is your own 'Tis thine to offer with corrupting art The rotten borough of the human heart. ? 1814. [First published, 1903.] ON NAPOLEON'S ESCAPE FROM ELBA.1 ONCE fairly set out on his party of pleasure, Taking towns at his liking, and crowns at his leisure, From Elba to Lyons and Paris he goes, his foes. Making balls for the ladies, and bows to March 27, 1815. [First published, Letters and Journals, 1830, i. 611.] ENDORSEMENT TO THE DEED OF SEPARATION, IN THE APRIL OF 1816. A YEAR ago you swore, fond she! "To love, to honour," and so forth: Such was the vow you pledged to me, And here's exactly what 'tis worth. [First published, Poetical Works, 1831, vi. 475.1 ["In the Moniteur of Thursday we find the Emperor's own account of his jaunt from the Island of Elba to the palace of the Thuilleries. It seems certainly more like a jaunt of pleasure than the progress of an invader through a country to be gained." Morning Chronicle, March 27, 1815.] [TO GEORGE ANSON BYRON (?)1] I. AND, dost thou ask the reason of my sadness? Well, I will tell it thee, unfeeling boy! 'Twas ill report that urged my brain to madness, 'Twas thy tongue's venom poisoned all my joy. 2. The sadness which thou seest is not sorrow; My wounds are far too deep for simple grief; The heart thus withered, seeks in vain to borrow From calm reflection, comfort or relief. 3. The arrow's flown, and dearly shalt thou rue it; No mortal hand can rid me of my pain: My heart is pierced, but thou canst not subdue it Revenge is left, and is not left in vain. SONG FOR THE LUDDITES.2 I. As the Liberty lads o'er the sea Bought their freedom, and cheaply, with blood, So we, boys, we Will die fighting, or live free, And down with all kings but King Ludd! ["A short time before Lord Byron quitted England, in 1816, he addressed these lines to an individual by whom he deemed himself injured; they are but little known." -Nicnac, March 25, 1823.] [The term "Luddites" dates from 1811, and was applied first to frame-breakers, and then to the disaffected in general. It was derived from a half-witted lad named Ned Lud, who entered a house in a fit of passion, and destroyed a couple of stocking-frames.] Without remorse, you set up "Ilderim"; So mind you don't get into debt, Because - as how if you should fail, These books would be but baddish bail. These rhymes to Morning Post or Which would be very treacherous And get me into such a scrap! For, firstly, I should have to sally, All in my little boat, against a Galley; And, should I chance to slay the Assyrian wight, Have next to combat with the female Knight: And pricked to death expire upon her needle, A sort of end which I should take indeed ill! March 25, 1817. [First published, Letters and Journals, 1830, ii. 91.] QUEM DEUS VULT PERDERE PRIUS DEMENTAT.1 GOD maddens him whom 'tis his will to lose, And gives the choice of death or phrenzy choose. [First published, Letters, 1900, iv. 93.] TO THOMAS MOORE. I. My boat is on the shore, 2. Here's a sigh to those who love me, And a smile to those who hate; And, whatever sky's above me, Here's a heart for every fate. 3. Though the Ocean roar around me, Yet it still shall bear me on; Though a desert should surround me, It hath springs that may be won. Were't the last drop in the well, Ere my fainting spirit fell, "Tis to thee that I would drink. 5. With that water, as this wine, And a health to thee, Tom Moore. [A propos of Maturin's tragedy, Manuel (vide post, p. 48, nole 1), Byron "does into English" the Latin proverb by way of contrast to the text, "Whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth; blessed be the Name of the Lord" (Letter to Murray, April 2, 1817).] |