Lines
Addressed To The Rev. J.T. Becher,
On His Advising The Author To Mix More With Society
by George Gordon, Lord Byron
(composed: 1806)
(From Hours of Idleness - 1807)
1
- Dear Becher, you tell me to mix with mankind;
- I cannot deny such a precept is wise;
- But retirement accords with the tone of my mind:
- I will not descend to a world I despise.
2
- Did the senate or camp my exertions require,
- Ambition might prompt me, at once, to go forth
- When Infancys years of probation expire,
- Perchance I may strive to distinguish my birth.
3
- The fire in the cavern of Etna conceald
- Still mantles unseen in its secret recess;
- At length, in a volume terrific reveald,
- No torrent can quench it, no bounds can repress.
4
- Oh! thus, the desire in my bosom for fame
- Bids me live but to hope for posteritys praise.
- Could I soar with the phoenix on pinions of flame
- With him I would wish to expire in the blaze.
5
- For the life of a Fox, of a Chatham the death,
- What censure, what danger, what woe would I brave!
- Their lives did not end when they yielded their breath;
- Their glory illumines the gloom of their grave.
6
- Yet why should I mingle in Fashions full herd?
- Why crouch to her leaders, or cringe to her rules?
- Why bend to the proud, or applaud the absurd?
- Why search for delight in the friendship of fools?
7
- I have tasted the sweets and the bitters of love;
- In friendship I early was taught to believe
- My passion the matrons prudence reprove;
- I have found that a friend may profess, yet deceive.
8
- To me what is wealth?it may pass in an hour,
- If tyrants prevail, or if Fortune should frown:
- To me what is title?the phantom of power;
- To me what is fashion?I seek but renown.
9
- Deceit is a stranger as yet to my soul:
- I still am unpractised to varnish the truth:
- Then why should I live in a hateful control?
- Why waste upon folly the days of my youth?
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