The Works of Lord Byron (ed. Coleridge, Prothero)/Poetry/Volume 3/Stanzas. "If sometimes in the Haunts of Men"

by George Gordon Byron

For works with similar titles, see Stanzas (Byron).

IF SOMETIMES IN THE HAUNTS OF MEN.^{[lower-roman 1]}

1.If sometimes in the haunts of menThine image from my breast may fade,The lonely hour presents againThe semblance of thy gentle shade:And now that sad and silent hourThus much of thee can still restore,And sorrow unobserved may pourThe plaint she dare not speak before.

2.Oh, pardon that in crowds awhileI waste one thought I owe to thee,And self-condemned, appear to smile,Unfaithful to thy memory:Nor deem that memory less dear,That then I seem not to repine;I would not fools should overhearOne sigh that should be wholly thine.

3.If not the Goblet pass unquaffed,It is not drained to banish care;The cup must hold a deadlier draughtThat brings a Lethe for despair.And could Oblivion set my soulFrom all her troubled visions free,I'd dash to earth the sweetest bowlThat drowned a single thought of thee.

4.For wert thou vanished from my mind,Where could my vacant bosom turn?And who would then remain behindTo honour thine abandoned Urn?No, no—it is my sorrow's prideThat last dear duty to fulfil;Though all the world forget beside,'Tis meet that I remember still.

5.For well I know, that such had beenThy gentle care for him, who now Unmourned shall quit this mortal scene,Where none regarded him, but thou:And, oh! I feel in that was givenA blessing never meant for me;Thou wert too like a dream of Heaven,For earthly Love to merit thee.March 14, 1812.
[First published, Childe Harold, 1812 (Second Edition).]

 

Variants

1. Stanzas.—[181 2.]