Poems on domestic circumstances ; containing 'Fare thee well', 'A sketch from private life', and ... other ... poems. To which are prefixed memoirs of the life of the author ... / by the Rev. J. Nightingale.

  • Lord Byron
Date:
1816
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Poems on domestic circumstances ; containing 'Fare thee well', 'A sketch from private life', and ... other ... poems. To which are prefixed memoirs of the life of the author ... / by the Rev. J. Nightingale. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    44/46 (page 48)
    Mortal! (theblue-eyed maid resum’d once more) Bear back my mandate to thy native shore ; Though fallen, alas ! this vengeance yet is mine, To turn my counsels far from lands like thine. Hear, then, in silence, Pallas’ stern behest, Hear and believe, for time will tell the rest: First on the head of him who did the deed My curse shall light, on him and all his seed: Without one spark of intellectual fire, Be all his sons as senseless as their sire: If one with wit the parent breed disgrace. Believe him bastard of a better race ; Still with his hireling artists let him prate, And folly's praise repay for wisdom’s hate*. Long of their patron’s gusto let them tell, Whose noblest native gusto—is to sell: To sell, and make (may shame record the day) The State receiver of his pilfer’d prey! • *#***«*#* ********** ********** And last of all, amidst the gaping crew, Some calm spectator, as he takes his viewf * Un sot trouve toujours un plus sot qui l’admire.—(Boileau, La Rochepou- cault, &c.) t “ Nor will this conduct [the sacrilegious plunder of ancient edifices] appear wonderful in men, either by birth, or by habits and groveling passions, barbariaus,