The works of Lord Byron A new, revised and enlarged edition, with illustrations. Edited by Ernest Hartley Coleridge and R. E. Prothero |
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 | The works of Lord Byron |  |
[LOVE AND GOLD.]
1
I cannot talk of Love to thee,Though thou art young and free and fair!
412
That bids a genuine love despair.
2
And yet that spell invites each youth,For thee to sigh, or seem to sigh;
Makes falsehood wear the garb of truth,
And Truth itself appear a lie.
3
If ever Doubt a place possestIn woman's heart, 'twere wise in thine:
Admit not Love into thy breast,
Doubt others' love, nor trust in mine.
4
Perchance 'tis feigned, perchance sincere,But false or true thou canst not tell;
So much hast thou from all to fear,
In that unconquerable spell.
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Of all the herd that throng around,Thy simpering or thy sighing train,
Come tell me who to thee is bound
By Love's or Plutus' heavier chain.
6
In some 'tis Nature, some 'tis ArtThat bids them worship at thy shrine;
413
Than they or I can give for thine.
7
For thee, and such as thee, behold,Is Fortune painted truly—blind!
Who doomed thee to be bought or sold,
Has proved too bounteous to be kind.
8
Each day some tempter's crafty suitWould woo thee to a loveless bed:
I see thee to the altar's foot
A decorated victim led.
9
Adieu, dear maid! I must not speakWhate'er my secret thoughts may be;
Though thou art all that man can reck
I dare not talk of Love to thee.
| The works of Lord Byron | |