George Gordon Lord Byron (1788-1824)
On this Day I Complete my Thirty-Sixth Year
1 'Tis time the heart should be unmoved,
2 Since others it hath ceased to move:
3Yet, though I cannot be beloved,
4 Still let me love!
5 My days are in the yellow leaf;
6 The flowers and fruits of love are gone;
7The worm, the canker, and the grief
8 Are mine alone!
9 The fire that on my bosom preys
10 Is lone as some volcanic isle;
11No torch is kindled at its blaze--
12 A funeral pile.
13 The hope, the fear, the jealous care,
14 The exalted portion of the pain
15And power of love, I cannot share,
16 But wear the chain.
17 But 'tis not thus--and 'tis not here--
18 Such thoughts should shake my soul nor now,
19Where glory decks the hero's bier,
20 Or binds his brow.
21 The sword, the banner, and the field,
22 Glory and Greece, around me see!
23The Spartan, borne upon his shield,
24 Was not more free.
25 Awake! (not Greece--she is awake!)
26 Awake, my spirit! Think through whom
27Thy life-blood tracks its parent lake,
28 And then strike home!
29 Tread those reviving passions down,
30 Unworthy manhood!--unto thee
31Indifferent should the smile or frown
32 Of beauty be.
33 If thou regrett'st thy youth, why live?
34 The land of honourable death
35Is here:--up to the field, and give
36 Away thy breath!
37 Seek out--less often sought than found--
38 A soldier's grave, for thee the best;
39Then look around, and choose thy ground,
40 And take thy rest.
Online text copyright © 2009, Ian Lancashire (the Department of English) and the University of Toronto.
Published by the Web Development Group, Information Technology Services, University of Toronto Libraries.
Original text: Byron, Works, 17 vols. (London: John Murray, 1832-33). PR 4351 M6 1832 ROBA. Morning Chronicle (Oct. 29, 1824).
First publication date:
1824
RPO poem editor: J. D. Robins
RP edition: 2RP 2.218.
Recent editing: 2:2002/3/21
Rhyme: abab
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