Poems by Violet Fane [i.e. M. M. Lamb] With Portrait engraved by E. Stodart ... in two volumes |
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WRITTEN IN A VOLUME OF “THE WORKS OF SHENSTONE,”
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 | Poems by Violet Fane [i.e. M. M. Lamb] |  |
74
WRITTEN IN A VOLUME OF “THE WORKS OF SHENSTONE,”
Which had belonged to Lord Byron when a student at Trinity College, Cambridge, and in which the Poet had inscribed some laudatory remarks concerning the Author.
“By Poet written, and by Poet read,A twofold glory shines upon my head;—
Perish'd the eyes that read,—the hand that wrote,—
Tatter'd and travel-stained my russet coat,—
Yet still I live to Fame!—In living eyes,
To living hands,—a treasure and a prize,—
Lord Byron's book! . . . Ere yet the accomplished days
Had wreathed his forehead with immortal bays,
Whilst the Promethean spark, to Fame unknown,
Smoulder'd beneath an Academic gown,
Byron! I was thine own!—oft laid to rest,
Rock'd by the throb of thine impetuous breast,
Clasp'd by thy hand,—commended by thy pen
Ere yet thou had'st thy place with gods or men!
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Whilst chill'd by Winter,—warm'd by Summer sun,—
The pen that praised me evermore at rest,
I bide with mortals still, a favour'd guest! . . .
Ah! had Death claim'd thee 'ere thy genius reign'd,
Fame had been cheated of what Honour gain'd;—
Silent the voice of thine immortal song,
Silent the carpings of the spiteful throng,—
Untraced pain's record on thine uncrown'd brow,
Unmoved the million hearts that love thee now!—
And I,—this humble thing of prose and rhyme,—
Thy friend and servant of a vanish'd time,
Had been but ‘Works of Shenstone,’ badly bound,
Nor cost my present mistress twenty pound!’
| Poems by Violet Fane [i.e. M. M. Lamb] | |