Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, FAREWELL TO MALTA, by GEORGE GORDON BYRON



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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

FAREWELL TO MALTA, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Adieu, ye joys of la valette
Last Line: And bless the gods I've got a fever.
Alternate Author Name(s): Byron, Lord; Byron, 6th Baron
Subject(s): Malta; Travel; Journeys; Trips


ADIEU, ye joys of La Valette!
Adieu, sirocco, sun, and sweat!
Adieu, thou palace rarely entered!
Adieu, ye mansions where--I've ventured!
Adieu, ye cursed streets of stairs!
(How surely he who mounts you swears!)
Adieu, ye merchants often failing!
Adieu, thou mob for ever railing!
Adieu, ye packets--without letters!
Adieu, ye fools--who ape your betters!
Adieu, thou damned'st quarantine,
That gave me fever, and the spleen!
Adieu, that stage which makes us yawn, Sirs,
Adieu, his Excellency's dancers!
Adieu to Peter--whom no fault's in,
But could not teach a colonel waltzing;
Adieu, ye females fraught with graces!
Adieu, red coats, and redder faces!
Adieu, the supercilious air
Of all that strut 'en militaire!'
I go--but God knows when, or why,
To smoky towns and cloudy sky.
To things (the honest truth to say)
As bad--but in a different way.

Farewell to these, but not adieu,
Triumphant sons of truest blue!
While either Adriatic shore,
And fallen chiefs, and fleets no more,
And nightly smiles, and daily dinners,
Proclaim you war and woman's winners.
Pardon my Muse, who apt to prate is,
And take my rhyme--because 'tis 'gratis'.

And now, O Malta! since thou'st got us,
Thou little military hothouse!
I'll not offend with words uncivil,
And wish thee rudely at the Devil,
But only stare from out my casement,
And ask, for what is such a place meant?
Then, in my solitary nook,
Return to scribbling, or a book,
Or take my physic while I'm able
(Two spoonfuls hourly by the label).
Prefer my nighteap to my beaver,
And bless the gods I've got a fever.





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