TO GEORGE, EARL DELAWARR. [i]
1.
Oh! yes, I will own we were dear to each
other;
The friendships of childhood,
though fleeting, are true;
The love which you felt was the love of
a brother,
Nor less the affection I cherish’d
for you.
2.
But Friendship can vary her gentle dominion;
The attachment of years, in
a moment expires:
Like Love, too, she moves on a swift-waving
pinion,
But glows not, like Love,
with unquenchable fires.
3.
Full oft have we wander’d through
Ida together,
And blest were the scenes
of our youth, I allow:
In the spring of our life, how serene
is the weather!
But Winter’s rude tempests
are gathering now.
4.
No more with Affection shall Memory blending,
The wonted delights of our
childhood retrace:
When Pride steels the bosom, the heart
is unbending,
And what would be Justice
appears a disgrace.
5.
However, dear George, for I still must
esteem you—[ii]
The few, whom I love, I can
never upbraid;
The chance, which has lost, may in future
redeem you,
Repentance will cancel the
vow you have made.
6.
I will not complain, and though chill’d
is affection,
With me no corroding resentment
shall live:
My bosom is calm’d by the simple
reflection,
That both may be wrong, and
that both should forgive.
7.
You knew, that my soul, that my heart,
my existence,
If danger demanded, were wholly
your own;
You knew me unalter’d, by years
or by distance,
Devoted to love and to friendship
alone.
8.
You knew,—but away with the
vain retrospection!
The bond of affection no longer
endures;
Too late you may droop o’er the
fond recollection,
And sigh for the friend, who
was formerly yours.
9.
For the present, we part,—I
will hope not for ever; [1]
For time and regret will restore
you at last:
To forget our dissension we both should
endeavour,
I ask no atonement, but days
like the past.
[Footnote 1: See Byron’s
Letter to Lord Clare of February 6, 1807, referred
to in ‘note’ 2, p. 100.]
[Footnote i:
‘To——’.
[’Hours of Idleness, Poems O. and Translated]]
[Footnote ii.
‘However, dear S——’.
[’Hours of Idleness, Poems O. and Translated’.]]
