Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, TO MARY, by GEORGE GORDON BYRON


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TO MARY, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Well! Thou art happy, and I feel
Last Line: My foolish heart be still, or break.
Alternate Author Name(s): Byron, Lord; Byron, 6th Baron
Subject(s): Babies; Jealousy; Love - Unrequited; Musters, Mary Chaworth; Infants


WELL! thou art happy, and I feel
That I should thus be happy too;
For still my heart regards thy weal
Warmly, as it was wont to do.

Thy husband's blest -- and 't will impart
Some pangs to view his happier lot:
But let them pass -- Oh! how my heart
Would hate him, if he loved thee not!

When late I saw thy favourite child,
I thought my jealous heart would break;
But when the unconscious infant smiled,
I kiss'd it for its mother's sake.

I kiss'd it, -- and repress'd my sighs
Its father in its face to see;
But then it had its mother's eyes,
And they were all to love and me.

Mary, adieu! I must away:
While thou art blest I'll not repine;
But near thee I can never stay;
My heart would soon again be thine.

I deem'd that time, I deem'd that pride
Had quench'd at length my boyish flame;
Nor knew, till seated by thy side,
My heart in all -- save hope -- the same.

Yet was I calm: I knew the time
My breast would thrill before thy look;
But now to tremble were a crime --
We met, -- and not a nerve was shook.

I saw thee gaze upon my face,
Yet meet with no confusion there:
One only feeling couldst thou trace,
The sullen calmness of despair.

Away! away! my early dream
Remembrance never must awake:
Oh, where is Lethe's fabled stream?
My foolish heart be still, or break.





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