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With stern and anxious glance gazed back upon
The bleeding body—but it moved no more.
Sieg. Oh God of fathers!
Gab.

I beheld his features
As I see yours-but yours they were not, though
Resembling them-behold them in Count Ulric's!
Distinct, as I beheld them, though the expression
Is not now what it then was; but it was so
When I first charged him with the crime-so lately.
Sieg. This is so-
[the end!
Gab. (interrupting him). Nay—but hear me to
Now you must do so. I conceived myself
Betray'd by you and him (for now I saw
There was some tie between you) into this
Pretended den of refuge, to become

The victim of your guilt; and my first thought
Was vengeance: but, though arm'd with a short poniard
(Having left my sword without), I was no match
For him at any time, as had been proved
That morning-either in address or force.

I turn'd, and fled-i' the dark: chance rather than
Skill made me gain the secret door of the hall,
And thence the chamber where you slept: if I
Had found you waking, Heaven alone can tell
What vengeance and suspicion might have prompted;
But ne'er slept guilt as Werner slept that night.

Sieg. And yet I had horrid dreams! and such brief
The stars had not gone down when I awoke. [sleep,
Why didst thou spare me? I dreamt of my father-
And now my dream is out!
Gab.

If I have read it.

"Tis not my fault,
Well! I fled and hid me—
Chance led me here after so many moons-
And show'd me Werner in Count Siegendorf!
Werner, whom I had sought in huts in vain,
Inhabited the palace of a sovereign!

You sought me and have found me-now you know
My secret, and may weigh its worth.

Sieg. (after a pause).

Indeed!

Gab. Is it revenge or justice which inspires

Your meditation?

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When you were poor, and I, though poor,

Rich enough to relieve such poverty

As might have envied mine, I offer'd you

My purse-you would not share it :-I'll be franker
With you: you are wealthy, noble, trusted by
The imperial powers-you understand me?
Sieg.

Yes.

Gab. Not quite. You think me venal, and scarce 'Tis no less true, however, that my fortunes [true: Have made me both at present. You shall aid me; I would have aided you-and also have Been somewhat damaged in my name to save Yours and your son's. Weigh well what I have said. Sieg. Dare you await the event of a few minutes' Deliberation?

Gab. (custs his eyes on ULRIC, who is leaning against a pillar). If I should do so? Sieg. I pledge my life for yours. Withdraw into [Opens a turret door. Gab. (hesitatingly). This is the second safe asylum You have offer'd me.

This tower.

["Gab. I have yet an additional security- I did not enter Prague a solitary individual; and there are tongues without that will speak for me, although I should even share the fate

Sieg.
And was not the first so?
Gab. I know not that even now-but will approve
The second. I have still a further shield.
I did not enter Prague alone; and should I
Be put to rest with Stralenheim, there are
Some tongues without will wag in my behalf.
Be brief in your decision! 1
Sieg.
I will be so.—
My word is sacred and irrevocable
Within these walls, but it extends no further.
Gab. I'll take it for so much.

Sieg. (points to ULRIC's sabre still upon the ground).
Take also that

I saw you eye it eagerly, and him
Distrustfully.
Gab. (takes up the sabre). I will; and so provide
To sell my life-
e-not cheaply.

[GABOR goes into the turret, which SIEGENDORF
closes.

Sieg. (advances to ULRIC).

Now, Count Ulric!

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Ulr.

Are you so dull

As Stralenheim is.
As never to have hit on this before?
When we met in the garden, what except
Discovery in the act could make me know

His death? Or had the prince's household been
Then summon'd, would the cry for the police
Been left to such a stranger? Or should I
Have loiter'd on the way? Or could you, Werner,
The object of the baron's hate and fears,
Have fled, unless by many an hour before
Suspicion woke ? I sought and fathom'd you,
Doubting if you were false or feeble: I
Perceived you were the latter: and yet so
Confiding have I found you, that I doubted
At times your weakness

Sieg.

Parricide no less

Than common stabber! What deed of my life,
Or thought of mine, could make you deem me fit
For your accomplice ?
Ulr.
Father, do not raise
The devil you cannot lay between us. This
Is time for union and for action, not
For family disputes. While you were tortured,
Could I be calm ? Think you that I have heard
This fellow's tale without some feeling ?-You
Have taught me feeling for you and myself;
For whom or what else did you ever teach it?

Sieg. Oh! my dead father's curse! 't is working now. Ulr. Let it work on! the grave will keep it down! Ashes are feeble foes: it is more easy

To baffle such, than countermine a mole,

of Stralenheim. Let your deliberation be short."-"Sieg. My promise is solemn, sacred, irrevocable: it extends not, however, beyond these walls."-- LEE.]

Which winds its blind but living path beneath you.
Yet hear me still!-If you condemn me, yet
Remember who hath taught me once too often
To listen to him! Who proclaim'd to me

That there were crimes made venial by the occasion?
That passion was our nature? that the goods
Of Heaven waited on the goods of fortune?
Who show'd me his humanity secured
By his nerves only ? Who deprived me of
All power to vindicate myself and race

In open day? By his disgrace which stamp'd
(It might be) bastardy on me, and on
Himself a felon's brand! The man who is
At once both warm and weak invites to deeds
He longs to do, but dare not. Is it strange [done
That I should act what you could think? We have
With right and wrong; and now must only ponder
Upon effects, not causes. Stralenheim,
Whose life I saved from impulse, as, unknown,
I would have saved a peasant's or a dog's, I slew
Known as our foe-but not from vengeance.
Was a rock in our way which I cut through,
As doth the bolt, because it stood between us
And our true destination—but not idly.
As stranger I preserved him, and he owed me
His life when due, I but resumed the debt.
He, you, and I stood o'er a gulf wherein

He

I have plunged our enemy. You kindled first
The torch-you show'd the path; now trace me that
Of safety-or let me !

Sieg.

I have done with life!

Ulr. Let us have done with that which cankers life

Familiar feuds and vain recriminations

Of things which cannot be undone. We have
No more to learn or hide: I know no fear,
And have within these very walls men who [things.
(Although you know them not) dare venture all
You stand high with the state; what passes here
Will not excite her too great curiosity:
Keep your own secret, keep a steady eye,
Stir not, and speak not;-leave the rest to me;
We must have no third babblers thrust between us.
[Exit ULRIC.

Sieg. (solus). Am I awake? are these my fathers'
halls?
And yon-my son? My son! mine! who have ever
Abhorr'd both mystery and blood, and yet
Am plunged into the deepest hell of both!
I must be speedy, or more will be shed—
The Hungarian's !-Ulric-he hath partisans,
It seems I might have guess'd as much.
Wolves prowl in company. He hath the key
(As I too) of the opposite door which leads
Into the turret. Now then! or once more
To be the father of fresh crimes, no less
Than of the criminal! Ho! Gabor! Gabor!
[Exit into the turret, closing the door after him.

SCENE II.

The Interior of the Turret.

GABOR and SIEGENDORF.

Gab. Who calls? Sieg. Lose not a moment!

Oh fool!

I-Siegendorf! Take these, and fly!

[Tears off a diamond star and other jewels, and thrusts them into GABOR's hand.

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Hours of Edleness:

A SERIES OF POEMS, ORIGINAL AND TRANSLATED. 1

Virginibus puerisque canto. - HORACE, lib. iii. Ode 1.
Μήτ' ἄς με μάλ' αίνει, μήτε τι νείκει. — HOMER, Iliad, x. 249.
He whistled as he went, for want of thought. - DRYDEN.

ΤΟ

THE RIGHT HONOURABLE FREDERICK, EARL OF CARLISLE,

KNIGHT OF THE GARTER, etc. etc.

THE SECOND EDITION OF THESE POEMS IS INSCRIBED,
BY HIS OBLIGED WARD AND AFFECTIONATE KINSMAN, 2

THE AUTHOR.

PREFACE.S

Is submitting to the public eye the following collection, I have not only to combat the difficulties that writers of verse generally encounter, but may incur the charge of presumption for obtruding myself on the world, when, without doubt, I might be, at my age, more usefully employed.

These productions are the fruits of the lighter hours of a young man who has lately completed his nineteenth year. As they bear the internal evidence of a boyish mind, this is, perhaps, unnecessary information. Some few were written during the disadvantages of

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illness and depression of spirits: under the former influence," CHILDISH RECOLLECTIONS," in particular, were composed. This consideration, though it cannot excite the voice of praise, may at least arrest the arm of censure. A considerable portion of these poems has been privately printed, at the request and for the perusal of my friends. I am sensible that the partial and frequently injudicious admiration of a social circle is not the criterion by which poetical genius is to be estimated, yet, "to do greatly," we must “dare greatly;" and I have hazarded my reputation and feelings in publishing this volume. "I have passed the Rubicon," and must stand or fall by the "cast of

lady was a poetess in her way. The Fairy's Answer to Mrs. Greville's Prayer of Indifference," in Pearch's Collection, is usually ascribed to her.]

3 [This Preface was omitted in the second edition.]

the die." In the latter event, I shall submit without a murmur; for, though not without solicitude for the fate of these effusions, my expectations are by no means sanguine. It is probable that I may have dared much and done little; for, in the words of Cowper, "it is one thing to write what may please our friends, who, because they are such, are apt to be a little biassed in our favour, and another to write what may please every body; because they who have no connection, or even knowledge of the author, will be sure to find fault if they can.' To the truth of this, however, I do not wholly subscribe: on the contrary, I feel convinced that these trifles will not be treated with injustice. Their merit, if they possess any, will be liberally allowed: their numerous faults, on the other hand, cannot expect that favour which has been denied to others of maturer years, decided character, and far greater ability.

"

I have not aimed at exclusive originality, still less have I studied any particular model for imitation: some translations are given, of which many are paraphrastic. In the original pieces there may appear a casual coincidence with authors whose works I have been accustomed to read; but I have not been guilty of intentional plagiarism. To produce any thing entirely new, in an age so fertile in rhyme, would be a Herculean task, as every subject has already been treated to its utmost extent. Poetry, however, is not my primary vocation; to divert the dull moments of indisposition, or the monotony of a vacant hour, urged me "to this sin:" little can be expected from so unpromising a muse. My wreath, scanty as it must be, is all I shall derive from these productions; and I shall never attempt to replace its fading leaves, or pluck a single additional sprig from groves where I am, at best, an intruder. Though accustomed, in my younger days, to rove a careless mountaineer on the Highlands of Scotland, I have not, of late years, had the benefit of such pure air, or so elevated a residence, as might enable me to enter the lists with genuine bards, who have enjoyed both these advantages. But they derive considerable fame, and a few not less profit, from their productions; while I shall expiate my rashness as an interloper, certainly without the latter, and in all probability with a very slight share of the former. I leave to others "virum volitare per ora." I look to the few who will hear with patience "dulce est desipere in loco." To the former worthies I resign, without repining, the hope of immortality, and content myself with the not very magnificent prospect of ranking amongst "the mob of gentlemen who write; -my readers must determine whether I dare say "with ease," or the honour of a posthumous page in "The Catalogue of Royal and Noble Authors,”- -a work to which the Peerage is under infinite obligations, inasmuch as many names of considerable length, sound, and antiquity, are thereby rescued from the obscurity which unluckily overshadows several voluminous productions of their illustrious bearers.

With slight hopes, and some fears, I publish this

1 The Earl of Carlisle, whose works have long received the meed of public applause, to which, by their intrinsic worth, they were well entitled.

[The passage referred to by Lord Byron occurs in Boswell's Life of Johnson, vol. viii. p. 91. ed. 1835. Dr. Johnson's letter to Mrs. Chapone, criticising, on the whole favourably, the Earl's tragedy of " The Father's Revenge," is inserted in the same volume, p. 242.]

first and last attempt. To the dictates of young ambition may be ascribed many actions more criminal and equally absurd. To a few of my own age the contents may afford amusement: I trust they will, at least, be found harmless. It is highly improbable, from my situation and pursuits hereafter, that I should ever obtrude myself a second time on the public; nor, even, in the very doubtful event of present indulgence, shall I be tempted to commit a future trespass of the same nature. The opinion of Dr. Johnson on the Poems of a noble relation of mine1, "That when a man of rank appeared in the character of an author, he deserved to have his merit handsomely allowed?," can have little weight with verbal, and still less with periodical, censors; but were it otherwise, I should be loth to avail myself of the privilege, and would rather incur the bitterest censure of anonymous criticism, than triumph in honours granted solely to a title.

Hours of Edleness.

ON THE DEATH OF A YOUNG LADY, COUSIN TO THe author, anD VERY DEAR TO HIM. 3

HUSH'D are the winds, and still the evening gloom,
Not e'en a zephyr wanders through the grove,
Whilst I return, to view my Margaret's tomb,
And scatter flowers on the dust I love.

Within this narrow cell reclines her clay,

That clay, where once such animation beam'd: The King of Terrors seized her as his prey; Not worth, nor beauty, have her life redeem'd.

Oh! could that King of Terrors pity feel,

Or Heaven reverse the dread decrees of fate, Not here the mourner would his grief reveal, Not here the muse her virtues would relate.

But wherefore weep? Her matchless spirit soars Beyond where splendid shines the orb of day; And weeping angels lead her to those bowers Where endless pleasures virtue's deeds repay.

And shall presumptuous mortals Heaven arraign,
And, madly, godlike Providence accuse ?
Ah! no, far fly from me attempts so vain ;-
I'll ne'er submission to my God refuse.

Yet is remembrance of those virtues dear,

Yet fresh the memory of that beauteous face; Still they call forth my warm affection's tear, Still in my heart retain their wonted place.

1802.

3 The author claims the indulgence of the reader more for this piece than, perhaps, any other in the collection; but as it was written at an earlier period than the rest (being composed at the age of fourteen), and his first essay, he preferred submitting it to the indulgence of his friends in its present state, to making either addition or alteration.

4 ["My first dash into poetry was as early as 1800. It was the ebullition of a passion for my first cousin, Margaret Parker

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A friend, whom death alone could sever;
Till envy, with malignant grasp,

Detach'd thee from my breast for ever.

True, she has forced thee from my breast,
Yet, in my heart thou keep'st thy seat;
There, there thine image still must rest,
Until that heart shall cease to beat.

And, when the grave restores her dead,
When life again to dust is given,
On thy dear breast I'll lay my head-
Without thee, where would be my heaven?
February, 1803.

(daughter and grand-daughter of the two Admirals Parker),
one of the most beautiful of evanescent beings. I have long
forgotten the verse; but it would be difficult for me to forget
her-her dark eyes-her long eye-lashes her completely
Greek cast of face and figure! I was then about twelve-
she rather older, perhaps a year. She died about a year or
two afterwards, in consequence of a fall, which injured her
spine, and induced consumption. Her sister Augusta (by
some thought still more beautiful,) died of the same malady;
and it was, indeed, in attending her, that Margaret met with
the accident which occasioned her death. My sister told
me, that when she went to see her, shortly before her death,
upon accidentally mentioning my name, Margaret coloured,
throughout the paleness of mortality, to the eyes, to the great
astonishment of my sister, who knew nothing of our attach-
ment, nor could conceive why my name should affect her at
such a time. I knew nothing of her illness- being at Har-
row and in the country-till she was gone. Some years
after, I made an attempt at an elegy-a very dull one.
not recollect scarcely any thing equal to the transparent
beauty of my cousin, or to the sweetness of her temper,
during the short period of our intimacy. She looked as if
the had been made out of a rainbow-all beauty and peace."
-Byron Diary, 1821.]

I do

[This little poem, and some others in the collection, refer to a boy of Lord Byron's own age, son of one of his tenants at Newstead, for whom he had formed a romantic attachment, of earlier date than any of his school friendships.]

Lord Delawarr. The idea of printing a collection of his Poems first occurred to Lord Byron in the parlour of that cottage, which, during his visit to Southwell, had become his adopted home. Miss Pigot, who was not before aware of his turn for versifying, had been reading aloud the Poems of Burns, when young Byron said, that he, too, was a poet sometimes, and would write down for her some verses of his own which he remembered." He then, with a pencil, wrote these lines, "To D-." A fac-simile of the Arst four lines of this pencilling fronts p. 1.]

[This poem appears to have been, in its original state, Intended to commemorate the death of the same lowly-born youth, to whom the affectionate verses given in the opposite column were addressed:

EPITAPH ON A FRIEND. 3

Αστὴς πρὶν μὲν ἔλαμπες ἐνὶ ζωοῖσιν ἑῷος. -- LAERTIUS.

Он, Friend! for ever loved, for ever dear!
What fruitless tears have bathed thy honour'd bier!
What sighs re-echo'd to thy parting breath,
Whilst thou wast struggling in the pangs of death!
Could tears retard the tyrant in his course;
Could sighs avert his dart's relentless force;
Could youth and virtue claim a short delay,
Or beauty charm the spectre from his prey;
Thou still hadst lived to bless my aching sight,
Thy comrade's honour and thy friend's delight.
If yet thy gentle spirit hover nigh

The spot where now thy mouldering ashes lie,
Here wilt thou read, recorded on my heart,
A grief too deep to trust the sculptor's art.
No marble marks thy couch of lowly sleep,
But living statues there are seen to weep;
Affliction's semblance bends not o'er thy tomb,
Affliction's self deplores thy youthful doom.
What though thy sire lament his failing line,
A father's sorrows cannot equal mine!
Though none, like thee, his dying hour will cheer,
Yet other offspring soothe his anguish here:
But, who with me shall hold thy former place?
Thine image, what new friendship can efface?
Ah! none!-a father's tears will cease to flow,
Time will assuage an infant brother's woe;
To all, save one, is consolation known,
While solitary friendship sighs alone.

1803.

"Though low thy lot, since in a cottage born," &c. But, in the altered form of the Epitaph, not only this passage, but every other containing an allusion to the low rank of his young companion, is omitted; while, in the added parts, the introduction of such language as

"What though thy sire lament his failing line,"

seems calculated to give an idea of the youth's station in life, wholly different from that which the whole tenour of the original Epitaph warrants. "That he grew more conscious,' says Mr. Moore," of his high station, as he approached to manhood, is not improbable, and this wish to sink his early friendship with the young cottager may have been a result of that feeling." The following is a copy of the lines as they first appeared in the private volume:

"Oh, Boy! for ever loved, for ever dear!

What fruitless tears have bathed thy honour'd bier!
What sighs re-echo'd to thy parting breath,
While thou wast struggling in the pangs of death!
Could tears retard the tyrant in his course;
Could sighs avert his dart's relentless force;
Could youth and virtue claim a short delay,
Or beauty charm the spectre from his prey;
Thou still hadst lived to bless my aching sight,
Thy comrade's honour, and thy friend's delight.
Though low thy lot, since in a cottage born,
No titles did thy humble name adorn,

To me, far dearer was thy artless love
Than all the joys wealth, fame, and friends could prove :
For thee alone I lived, or wish'd to live;
Oh God! if impious, this rash word forgive!
Heart-broken now, I wait an equal doom,
Content to join thee in thy turf-clad tomb;
Where, this frail form composed in endless rest,
I'll make my last cold pillow on thy breast;
That breast where oft in life I've laid my head,
Will yet receive me mouldering with the dead;
This life resign'd, without one parting sigh,
Together in one bed of earth we 'll lie!
Together share the fate to mortals given;
Together mix our dust, and hope for heaven."]

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