On This Day I Complete
My Thirty-Sixth Year

by George Gordon, Lord Byron

(Byron's last poem, composed: 22 January 1824)


    1
  1.   ’Tis time the heart should be unmoved,
  2.      Since others it hath ceased to move:
  3.   Yet, though I cannot be beloved,
  4.               Still let me love!

    2
  5.   My days are in the yellow leaf;
  6.      The flowers and fruits of Love are gone;
  7.   The worm, the canker, and the grief
  8.               Are mine alone!

    3
  9.   The fire that on my bosom preys
  10.      Is lone as some Volcanic isle;
  11.   No torch is kindled at its blaze—
  12.               A funeral pile.

    4
  13.   The hope, the fear, the jealous care,
  14.      The exalted portion of the pain
  15.   And power of love, I cannot share,
  16.               But wear the chain.

    5
  17.   But ’tis not thus—and ’tis not here
  18.      Such thoughts should shake my soul nor now,
  19.   Where Glory decks the hero’s bier,
  20.               Or binds his brow.

    6
  21.   The Sword, the Banner, and the Field,
  22.      Glory and Greece, around me see!
  23.   The Spartan, borne upon his shield,
  24.               Was not more free.

    7
  25.   Awake! (not Greece—she is awake!)
  26.      Awake, my spirit! Think through whom
  27.   Thy life-blood tracks its parent lake,
  28.               And then strike home!

    8
  29.   Tread those reviving passions down,
  30.      Unworthy manhood!—unto thee
  31.   Indifferent should the smile or frown
  32.               Of Beauty be.

    9
  33.   If thou regret’st thy youth, why live?
  34.      The land of honourable death
  35.   Is here:—up to the Field, and give
  36.               Away thy breath!

    10
  37.   Seek out—less often sought than found—
  38.      A soldier’s grave, for thee the best;
  39.   Then look around, and choose thy ground,
  40.               And take thy Rest.

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