VERSES TO BYRON. The deeds of other days entranced we see, The plundering inroad, the tumultuous fight, Hail minstrel, feast, fair dame, and gallant knight. 159 Of the shorter poems in this collection two were addressed to Lord Byron immediately before his first departure from England. The concluding lines of the former contain timely admonitions respecting religion, elicited, doubtless, by previous conversations and correspondence: the latter appeals to the poet's sense of responsibility as an hereditary legislator. After a comparison between England and various foreign countries, and an allusion to the duties of patriotism, the first poem continues : Yet if pleasing change allure thee O'er the roughly swelling tide, Mark Him, in the whirlwind riding, Mark Him, through the calm air gliding, See Him fill yon arch of Heav'n, Glitt'ring with the gems of night; See, nor hope to be forgiv'n Doubtful of His sacred light. See Him spread, in bright profusion, But, if Nature fail to move thee Feel that soul's most deep recesses Then as o'er the midnight ocean On the deck, in calm devotion, Breathe to Heav'n thy secret song. With the pure and holy feeling, Friendship in thy breast shall rise; And Remembrance, o'er thee stealing, Softly paint thy native skies. ENERGY. Byron since rank's discordant tone Allows the friendly sound Byron! in energy alone Can genuine bliss be found. He who exerts his native powers Can ne'er be long deprest ; VERSES TO BYRON. Young hope shall chide his loit'ring hours, Glad triumph cheer his breast; From love's despondent slave, Last of thy noble line! Be eloquent renown thy choice, 'Mid listening senates boldly stand And flattery's slaves at court. 161 This appeal received a satisfactory answer in that eloquent speech upon the Frame-Breaking Bill, of which the speaker sent the first account to his no less wise than considerate mentor, Francis Hodgson. CHAPTER VIII. LETTERS FROM BYRON-MEETING IN LONDON, AND LINES WRITTEN ON THE SAME DAY-DEATH OF MATTHEWS—BYRON'S FIRST WILL, AND A POEM ON NEWSTEAD ABBEY,' HITHERTO UNPUBLISHED. 1811. THE letters written by Byron during his first pilgrimage, to which reference has been already made, are not less remarkable for keen observation and genial goodhumour, than for that morbid self-consciousness which was their author's bane throughout his life. Some few sentences in the first of these letters give the keynote to many of the others, which are written with a racy freshness strangely belying some of the melancholy and misanthropic sentiments expressed in them. The date of this first letter is Lisbon, July 16, 1809. Thus far have we pursued our route, and seen all sorts of marvellous sights, palaces, convents, &c.; which, being to be heard of in my friend Hobhouse's LETTERS FROM BYRON. SPAIN. PORTUGAL. 163 forthcoming Book of Travels,' I shall not anticipate by giving any account to you in a private and clandestine manner. I must just observe that the village of Cintra, in Estremadura, is the most beautiful, perhaps, in the world-very far superior to my expectation—and Portugal pleasant enough. The inhabitants have few vices, &c. ... The first and sweetest spot in this kingdom is Montserrat, lately the seat of the great Beckford.1 Hodgson! send me the news, and Hobby's Missellingany, and the deaths and defeats, and capital crimes, and the misfortunes of one's friends, and the controversies and criticisms. All this will be pleasant, suave mari magno, &c. Talking of that, I have been sea-sick and sick of the sea. Adieu ! Alluding to these Spanish letters, Byron writes to Drury when on board the 'Salsette' frigate on his way from Smyrna to Constantinople. Of Spain I sent some account to our Hodgson, but have subsequently written to no one save notes to relations and lawyers to keep them out of my premises. I mean to give up all connection, on my return, with many of my best friends, as I supposed them, and to snarl all my life. But I hope to have The millionaire; author of Vathek, and other works. |