The Works of Lord Byron Volume I Part 56

['Poems O. and T.']]

TO THE EARL OF CLARE. [i]

Tu semper amoris Sis memor, et cari comitis ne abscedat imago.

VAL. FLAC. 'Argonaut', iv. 36.

1.

Friend of my youth! when young we rov'd, Like striplings, mutually belov'd, With Friendship's purest glow; The bliss, which wing'd those rosy hours, Was such as Pleasure seldom showers On mortals here below.

2.

The recollection seems, alone, Dearer than all the joys I've known, When distant far from you: Though pain, 'tis still a pleasing pain, To trace those days and hours again, And sigh again, adieu!

3.

My pensive mem'ry lingers o'er, Those scenes to be enjoy'd no more, Those scenes regretted ever; The measure of our youth is full, Life's evening dream is dark and dull, And we may meet--ah! never!

4.

As when one parent spring supplies Two streams, which from one fountain rise, Together join'd in vain; How soon, diverging from their source, Each, murmuring, seeks another course, Till mingled in the Main!

5.

Our vital streams of weal or woe, Though near, alas! distinctly flow, Nor mingle as before: Now swift or slow, now black or clear, Till Death's unfathom'd gulph appear, And both shall quit the sh.o.r.e.

6.

Our souls, my Friend! which once supplied One wish, nor breathed a thought beside, Now flow in different channels: Disdaining humbler rural sports, 'Tis yours to mix in polish'd courts, And shine in Fashion's annals;

7.

'Tis mine to waste on love my time, Or vent my reveries in rhyme, Without the aid of Reason; For Sense and Reason (critics know it) Have quitted every amorous Poet, Nor left a thought to seize on.

8.

Poor LITTLE! sweet, melodious bard!

Of late esteem'd it monstrous hard That he, who sang before all; He who the lore of love expanded, By dire Reviewers should be branded, As void of wit and moral. [1]

9.

And yet, while Beauty's praise is thine, Harmonious favourite of the Nine!

Repine not at thy lot.

Thy soothing lays may still be read, When Persecution's arm is dead, And critics are forgot.

10.

Still I must yield those worthies merit Who chasten, with unsparing spirit, Bad rhymes, and those who write them: And though myself may be the next By critic sarcasm to be vext, I really will not fight them. [2]

11.

Perhaps they would do quite as well To break the rudely sounding sh.e.l.l Of such a young beginner: He who offends at pert nineteen, Ere thirty may become, I ween, A very harden'd sinner.

12.

Now, Clare, I must return to you; [ii]

And, sure, apologies are due: Accept, then, my concession.

In truth, dear Clare, in Fancy's flight [iii]

I soar along from left to right; My Muse admires digression.

13.

I think I said 'twould be your fate To add one star to royal state;-- May regal smiles attend you!

And should a n.o.ble Monarch reign, You will not seek his smiles in vain, If worth can recommend you.

14.

Yet since in danger courts abound, Where specious rivals glitter round, From snares may Saints preserve you; And grant your love or friendship ne'er From any claim a kindred care, But those who best deserve you!

15.

Not for a moment may you stray From Truth's secure, unerring way!