Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, ON THIS DAY I COMPLETE MY THIRTY-SIXTH YEAR, by GEORGE GORDON BYRON



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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

ON THIS DAY I COMPLETE MY THIRTY-SIXTH YEAR, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Tis time this heart should be unmoved
Last Line: And take thy rest.
Alternate Author Name(s): Byron, Lord; Byron, 6th Baron
Variant Title(s): Byron's Farewell;on Completing My Thirty-sixth Year;hail And Farewell;byron's Latest Verses
Subject(s): Adversity; Missolonghi, Greece; War; Mesolonghi, Greece; Mesolongion, Greece


'Tis time this heart should be unmoved,
Since others it hath ceased to move:
Yet, though I cannot be beloved,
Still let me love!
.
My days are in the yellow leaf;
The flowers and fruits of love are gone;
The worm, the canker, and the grief
Are mine alone!
.
The fire that on my bosom preys
Is lone as some volcanic isle;
No torch is kindled at its blaze --
A funeral pile.
.
The hope, the fear, the jealous care,
The exalted portion of the pain
And power of love, I cannot share,
But wear the chain.
.
But 'tis not thus -- and 'tis not here --
Such thoughts should shake my soul, nor now
Where glory decks the hero's bier,
Or binds his brow.
.
The sword, the banner, and the field,
Glory and Greece, about us see;
The Spartan, borne upon his shield,
Was not more free.
.
Awake! (not Greece -- she is awake!)
Awake, my spirit! Think through whom
Thy life-blood tastes its parent lake,
And then strike home!
.
Tread those reviving passions down,
Unworthy manhood! unto thee
Indifferent should the smile or frown
Of beauty be.
.
If thou regrett'st thy youth, why live?
The land of honourable death
Is here: -- up to the field, and give
Away thy breath!
.
Seek out -- less often sought than found --
A soldier's grave, for thee the best;
Then look around, and choose thy ground,
And take thy rest.





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