Impromptus
Impromptus
Original Text
Byron, Works, 17 vols. (London: John Murray, 1832-33). PR 4351 M6 1832.
1Strahan, Tonson, Lintot of the times,
2Patron and publisher of rhymes,
3For thee the bard up Pindus climbs,
4 My Murray.
5To thee, with hope and terror dumb,
6The unfledged MS. authors come;
7Thou printest all-and sellest some-
8 My Murray.
9Upon thy table's baize so green
10The last new Quarterly is seen,-
11But where is thy new Magazine,
12 My Murray?
13Along thy sprucest bookshelves shine
14The works thou deemest most divine-
15The "Art of Cookery,"and mine,
16 My Murray.
17Tours, Travels, Essays, too, I wist,
18And Sermons, to thy mill bring grist;
19And then thou hast the "Navy List,"
20 My Murray.
21And Heaven forbid I should conclude
22Without "the Board of Longitude,"
23Although this narrow paper would,
24 My Murray.
25When a man hath no freedom to fight for at home,
26 Let him combat for that of his neighbours;
27Let him think of the glories of Greece and of Rome,
28 And get knock'd on the head for his labours.
29To do good to mankind is the chivalrous plan,
30 And is always as nobly requited;
31Then battle for freedom wherever you can,
32 And, if not shot or hang'd, you'll get knighted.
Publication Start Year
1818
RPO poem Editors
Ian Lancashire
RPO Edition
RP (1916), pp. 239; RPO 1997.
Rhyme