2.

I've lived, as many others live,

And yet, I think, with more enjoyment; For could I through my days again live, I'd pass them in the same employment.

3.

That is to say, with some exception,

For though I will not make confession, I've seen too much of man's deception Ever again to trust profession.

4.

Some sage Mammas with gesture haughty, Pronounce me quite a youthful SinnerBut Daughters say, "although he's naughty, You must not check a Young Beginner!"

5.

I've loved, and many damsels know it—

But whom I don't intend to mention,

As certain stanzas also show it,

Some say deserving Reprehension.

6.

Some ancient Dames, of virtue fiery,

(Unless Report does much belie them,)

Have lately made a sharp Enquiry,

And much it grieves me to deny them.

7.

Two whom I lov'd had eyes of Blue,

To which I hope you've no objection; The Rest had eyes of darker Hue

Each Nymph, of course, was all perfection.

8.

But here I'll close my chaste Description,

Nor say the deeds of animosity;

For silence is the best prescription,

To physic idle curiosity.

9.

Of Friends I've known a goodly Hundred-
For finding one in each acquaintance,
By some deceived, by others plunder'd,
Friendship, to me, was not Repentance.

IO.

At School I thought like other Children;
Instead of Brains, a fine Ingredient,
Romance, my youthful Head bewildering,
To Sense had made me disobedient.

II.

A victim, nearly from affection,

To certain very precious scheming,

The still remaining recollection

Has cured my boyish soul of Dreaming.

12.

By Heaven! I rather would forswear

The Earth, and all the joys reserved me,

Than dare again the specious Snare,

From which my Fate and Heaven preserved me.

13.

Still I possess some Friends who love me-
In each a much esteemed and true one;
The Wealth of Worlds shall never move me
To quit their Friendship, for a new one.

14.

But Becher! you're a reverend pastor,
Now take it in consideration,
Whether for penance I should fast, or
Pray for my sins in expiation.

15.

I own myself the child of Folly,

But not so wicked as they make me

I soon must die of melancholy,

If Female smiles should e'er forsake me.

16.

Philosophers have never doubted,

That Ladies' Lips were made for kisses! For Love! I could not live without it,

For such a cursed place as This is.

17.

Say, Becher, I shall be forgiven !

If you don't warrant my salvation,

I must resign all Hopes of Heaven!

For, Faith, I can't withstand Temptation.

P.S.-These were written between one and two, after midnight. I have not corrected, or revised.

TO ANNE.1

Yours, BYRON.

I.

OH say not, sweet Anne, that the Fates have decreed
The heart which adores you should wish to dissever ;
Such Fates were to me most unkind ones indeed,-
To bear me from Love and from Beauty for ever.

2.

Your frowns, lovely girl, are the Fates which alone
Could bid me from fond admiration refrain;
By these, every hope, every wish were o'erthrown,
Till smiles should restore me to rapture again.

3.

As the ivy and oak, in the forest entwin'd,

The

rage of the tempest united must weather; My love and my life were by nature design'd To flourish alike, or to perish together.

I [Miss Anne Houson.]

4.

Then say not, sweet Anne, that the Fates have decreed Your lover should bid you a lasting adieu :

Till Fate can ordain that his bosom shall bleed, His Soul, his Existence, are centred in you. 1807. [First published, 1832.]

TO THE AUTHOR OF A SONNET

666

BEGINNING

"SAD IS MY VERSE,' YOU SAY, 'AND YET NO TEAR.'"

I.

THY verse is "sad" enough, no doubt:
A devilish deal more sad than witty!
Why we should weep I can't find out,
Unless for thee we weep in pity.

2.

Yet there is one I pity more;

And much, alas! I think he needs it:

For he, I'm sure, will suffer sore,

Who, to his own misfortune, reads it.

3.

Thy rhymes, without the aid of magic,

May once be read-but never after :
Yet their effect's by no means tragic,

Although by far too dull for laughter.