Bliss Carman, et al., eds. The World’s Best Poetry. 1904.
III. AdversityLatest Verses
Lord Byron (17881824)’T
Since others it has ceased to move:
Yet, though I cannot be beloved,
Still let me love!
The flowers and fruits of love are gone:
The worm, the canker, and the grief,
Are mine alone.
Is like to some volcanic isle;
No torch is kindled at its blaze,—
A funeral pile.
The exalted portion of the pain
And power of love, I cannot share,
But wear the chain.
Such thoughts should shake my soul, nor now,
Where glory decks the hero’s bier,
Or binds his brow.
Glory and Greece about us see;
The Spartan borne upon his shield
Was not more free.
Awake my spirit! think through whom
Thy life-blood tastes its parent lake,
And then strike home!
Unworthy manhood! unto thee
Indifferent should the smile or frown
Of beauty be.
The land of honorable death
Is here:—up to the field, and give
Away thy breath!
A soldier’s grave, for thee the best;
Then look around, and choose thy ground,
And take thy rest!