The Works of Lord Byron Volume I Part 53

'Since we have met, I learnt to mourn.'

['MS. Newstead.'] ]

[Footnote viii:

'And caves their sullen war'--.

['MS. Newstead.'] ]

[Footnote ix:

'--thank Heaven are flown'.

['MS. Newstead'.]]

[Footnote x:

'In truth dear L----'.

['Hours of Idleness. Poems O. and T.] ]

[Footnote xi:

'The glances really don't become her'.

['MS. Newstead'.]]

[Footnote xii:

'No more I linger on its name'.

['MS. Newstead'.]]

[Footnote xiii:

'And pa.s.sion's self is but a name'.

['MS. Newstead'.]]

[Footnote xiv:

'And what's much worse than this I find Have left their deepen'd tracks behind Yet as yon'------.

['MS. Newstead'.]]

TO A LADY. [i]

1.

Oh! had my Fate been join'd with thine, [1]

As once this pledge appear'd a token, These follies had not, then, been mine, For, then, my peace had not been broken.

2.

To thee, these early faults I owe, To thee, the wise and old reproving: They know my sins, but do not know 'Twas thine to break the bonds of loving.

3.

For once my soul, like thine, was pure, And all its rising fires could smother; But, now, thy vows no more endure, Bestow'd by thee upon another. [1]

4.

Perhaps, his peace I could destroy, And spoil the blisses that await him; Yet let my Rival smile in joy, For thy dear sake, I cannot hate him.

5.

Ah! since thy angel form is gone, My heart no more can rest with any; But what it sought in thee alone, Attempts, alas! to find in many.

6.

Then, fare thee well, deceitful Maid!

'Twere vain and fruitless to regret thee; Nor Hope, nor Memory yield their aid, But Pride may teach me to forget thee.