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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TO A VAIN LADY. |
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 | The works of Lord Byron |  |
TO A VAIN LADY.
1
Ah, heedless girl! why thus discloseWhat ne'er was meant for other ears;
Why thus destroy thine own repose,
And dig the source of future tears?
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2
Oh, thou wilt weep, imprudent maid,While lurking envious foes will smile,
For all the follies thou hast said
Of those who spoke but to beguile.
3
Vain girl! thy ling'ring woes are nigh,If thou believ'st what striplings say:
Oh, from the deep temptation fly,
Nor fall the specious spoiler's prey.
4
Dost thou repeat, in childish boast,The words man utters to deceive?
Thy peace, thy hope, thy all is lost,
If thou canst venture to believe.
5
While now amongst thy female peersThou tell'st again the soothing tale,
Canst thou not mark the rising sneers
Duplicity in vain would veil?
6
These tales in secret silence hush,Nor make thyself the public gaze:
What modest maid without a blush
Recounts a flattering coxcomb's praise?
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7
Will not the laughing boy despiseHer who relates each fond conceit—
Who, thinking Heaven is in her eyes,
Yet cannot see the slight deceit?
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For she who takes a soft delightThese amorous nothings in revealing,
Must credit all we say or write,
While vanity prevents concealing.
9
Cease, if you prize your Beauty's reign!No jealousy bids me reprove:
One, who is thus from nature vain,
I pity, but I cannot love.
January 15, 1807.
| The works of Lord Byron | |