But the poor dog, in life the firmest friend, Thy love is lust, thy friendship all a cheat, Thy smiles hypocrisy, thy words deceit ! By nature vile, ennobled but by name, Each kindred brute might bid thee blush for shame. Ye! who perchance behold this simple urn, Pass on-it honours none you wish to mourn: To mark a Friend's remains these stones arise; I never knew but one,—and here he lies." Newstead Abbey, October 30, 1808. [First published, 1809.] i. I knew but one unchang'd—and here he lies.-- [Imit. and Transl., p. 191.] TO A LADY,1 ON BEING ASKED MY REASON FOR QUITTING ENGLAND IN THE SPRING.L I. WHEN Man, expell'd from Eden's bowers, A moment linger'd near the gate, 2. But, wandering on through distant climes, He learnt to bear his load of grief; Just gave a sigh to other times, And found in busier scenes relief. 3. Thus, Lady! will it be with me," And I must view thy charms no more; For, while I linger near to thee, I sigh for all I knew before. i. The Farewell To a Lady.-[Imit. and Transl.] 1. [Byron had written to his mother on November 2, 1808, announcing his intention of sailing for India in the following March. See Childe Harold, canto i. st. 3. See also Letter to Hodgson, Nov. 27, 1808.] In flight I shall be surely wise, Without the wish of dwelling there."1 December 2, 1808. [First published, 1809.] 1 FILL THE GOBLET AGAIN.". A SONG. I. FILL the goblet again! for I never before Felt the glow which now gladdens my heart to its core ; Let us drink-who would not?-since, through life's varied round, In the goblet alone no deception is found. i. Without a wish to enter there.-[Imit. and Transl., p. 196.] ii. Song.-[Imit. and Transl., p. 204.] 1. [In a letter of Byron to J. J. Coulmann, dated within a few days of his final departure from Italy to Greece, in 1823, he writes: "Miss Chaworth was two years older than myself. She married a man of an ancient and respectable family, but her marriage was not a happier one than my own. Her conduct, however, was irreproachable; but there was not sympathy between their characters. I had not seen her for many years when an occasion offered to me, January, 1814. I was upon the point, with her consent, of paying her a visit, when my sister, who has always had more influence over me than any one else, persuaded me not to do it. “For,” said she, "if you go you will fall in love again, and then there will be a scene; one step will lead to another, et cela fera un éclat."-Letters, 1901, vi. 233, 234.] 66 2. I have tried in its turn all that life can supply; I have bask'd in the beam of a dark rolling eye; I have lov'd!-who has not ?-but what heart can declare That Pleasure existed while Passion was there? 3. In the days of my youth, when the heart's in its spring, And dreams that Affection can never take wing, I had friends!-who has not ?-but what tongue will avow, That friends, rosy wine! are so faithful as thou? 4.. The heart of a mistress some boy may estrange, Friendship shifts with the sunbeam-thou never canst change; Thou grow'st old-who does not ?-but on earth what appears, Whose virtues, like thine, still increase with its years? 5. Yet if blest to the utmost that Love can bestow, Should a rival bow down to our idol below, We are jealous!—who's not ?-thou hast no such alloy; For the more that enjoy thee, the more we enjoy. 6. Then the season of youth and its vanities past, For refuge we fly to the goblet at last; There we find-do we not ?-in the flow of the soul, That truth, as of yore, is confined to the bowl. 7. When the box of Pandora was open'd on earth, And Misery's triumph commenc'd over Mirth, Hope was left,—was she not ?—but the goblet we kiss, And care not for Hope, who are certain of bliss. 8. Long life to the grape! for when summer is flown, The age of our nectar shall gladden our own: We must die-who shall not?-May our sins be forgiven, And Hebe shall never be idle in Heaven. [First published, 1809.] STANZAS TO A LADY, ON LEAVING ENGLAND." I. 'Tis done and shivering in the gale The bark unfurls her snowy sail; And whistling o'er the bending mast, Loud sings on high the fresh'ning blast; And I must from this land be gone, Because I cannot love but one. i. To Mrs. Musters.-[MS.] Το —— on Leaving England.—[Imit. and Transl., p. 227.] |