The Works of Lord Byron Volume I Part 74

3.

But Breeze of night again forbear, In softest murmurs only sigh: Let not a Zephyr's pinion dare To lift those auburn locks on high.

4.

Chill is thy Breath, thou breeze of night!

Oh! ruffle not those lids of Snow; For only Morning's cheering light May wake the beam that lurks below.

5.

Blest be that lip and azure eye!

Sweet f.a.n.n.y, hallowed be thy Sleep!

Those lips shall never vent a sigh, Those eyes may never wake to weep.

February 23rd, 1808.

[Footnote 1: From the MS. in the possession of the Earl of Lovelace.]

TO HARRIET. [1]

1.

Harriet! to see such Circ.u.mspection, [2]

In Ladies I have no objection Concerning what they read; An ancient Maid's a sage adviser, Like _her_, you will be much the wiser, In word, as well as Deed.

2.

But Harriet, I don't wish to flatter, And really think 't would make the matter More perfect if not quite, If other Ladies when they preach, Would certain Damsels also teach More cautiously to write.

[Footnote 1: From an autograph MS. at Newstead, now for the first time printed.]

[Footnote 2: See the poem "To Marion," and 'note', p. 129. It would seem that J. T. Becher addressed some flattering lines to Byron with reference to a poem concerning Harriet Maltby, possibly the lines "To Marion." The following note was attached by Miss Pigot to these stanzas, which must have been written on another occasion:--

"I saw Lord B. was _flattered_ by John Becher's lines, as he read 'Apollo', etc., with a peculiar smile and emphasis; so out of _fun_, to vex him a little, I said,

'_Apollo!_ He _should_ have said _Apollyon_.'

'Elizabeth! for Heaven's sake don't say so again! I don't mind _you_ telling me so; but if any one _else_ got hold _of the word_, I should never hear the end of it.'

So I laughed at him, and dropt it, for he was _red_ with agitation."]

THERE WAS A TIME, I NEED NOT NAME. [i] [1]

1.

There was a time, I need not name, Since it will ne'er forgotten be, When all our feelings were the same As still my soul hath been to thee.

2.

And from that hour when first thy tongue Confess'd a love which equall'd mine, Though many a grief my heart hath wrung, Unknown, and thus unfelt, by thine,

3.

None, none hath sunk so deep as this-- To think how all that love hath flown; Transient as every faithless kiss, But transient in thy breast alone.

4.

And yet my heart some solace knew, When late I heard thy lips declare, In accents once imagined true, Remembrance of the days that were.

5.

Yes! my adored, yet most unkind!

Though thou wilt never love again, To me 'tis doubly sweet to find Remembrance of that love remain. [ii]

6.

Yes! 'tis a glorious thought to me, Nor longer shall my soul repine, Whate'er thou art or e'er shall be, Thou hast been dearly, solely mine.