Greek (transliterated): Heauton bur_on aeidei.

1.

If Fate should seal my Death to-morrow,

(Though much I hope she will postpone it,)

I've held a share Joy and Sorrow,

Enough for Ten; and here I own it.

2.

I've lived, as many others live,

And yet, I think, with more enjoyment;

For could I through my days again live,

I'd pass them in the same employment.

3.

That is to say, with some exception,

For though I will not make confession,

I've seen too much of man's deception

Ever again to trust profession.

4.

Some sage Mammas with gesture haughty,

Pronounce me quite a youthful Sinner—

But Daughters say, "although he's naughty,

You must not check a Young Beginner!"

5.

I've loved, and many damsels know it—

But whom I don't intend to mention,

As certain stanzas also show it,

Some say deserving Reprehension.

6.

Some ancient Dames, of virtue fiery,

(Unless Report does much belie them,)

Have lately made a sharp Enquiry,

And much it grieves me to deny them.

7.

Two whom I lov'd had eyes of Blue,

To which I hope you've no objection;

The Rest had eyes of darker Hue—

Each Nymph, of course, was all perfection.

8.

But here I'll close my chaste Description,

Nor say the deeds of animosity;

For silence is the best prescription,

To physic idle curiosity.

9.

Of Friends I've known a goodly Hundred—

For finding one in each acquaintance,

By some deceived, by others plunder'd,

Friendship, to me, was not Repentance.

10.

At School I thought like other Children;

Instead of Brains, a fine Ingredient,

Romance, my youthful Head bewildering,

To Sense had made me disobedient.

11.

A victim, nearly from affection,

To certain very precious scheming,

The still remaining recollection

Has cured my boyish soul of Dreaming.

12.

By Heaven! I rather would forswear

The Earth, and all the joys reserved me,

Than dare again the specious Snare,

From which my Fate and Heaven preserved me.

13.

Still I possess some Friends who love me—

In each a much esteemed and true one;

The Wealth of Worlds shall never move me

To quit their Friendship, for a new one.

14.

But Becher! you're a reverend pastor,

Now take it in consideration,

Whether for penance I should fast, or .

Pray for my sins in expiation.

15.

I own myself the child of Folly,

But not so wicked as they make me—

I soon must die of melancholy,

If Female smiles should e'er forsake me.

16.

Philosophers have never doubted,

That Ladies' Lips were made for kisses!

For Love! I could not live without it,

For such a cursed place as This is.

17.

Say, Becher, I shall be forgiven!

If you don't warrant my salvation,

I must resign all Hopes of Heaven!

For, Faith, I can't withstand Temptation.

P.S.—These were written between one and two, after midnight. I

have not corrected, or revised. Yours, Byron.

Footnote 1: Ý From an autograph MS. at Newstead, now for the first time printed.

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