Page:The Works of Lord Byron (ed. Coleridge, Prothero) - Volume 1.djvu/214

174 TO ROMANCE.

1.

of golden dreams, Romance!

Auspicious Queen of childish joys,

Who lead'st along, in airy dance,

Thy votive train of girls and boys;

At length, in spells no longer bound,

I break the fetters of my youth;

No more I tread thy mystic round,

But leave thy realms for those of Truth.

2.

And yet 'tis hard to quit the dreams

Which haunt the unsuspicious soul,

Where every nymph a goddess seems,

Whose eyes through rays immortal roll;

While Fancy holds her boundless reign,

And all assume a varied hue;

When Virgins seem no longer vain,

And even Woman's smiles are true.

3.

And must we own thee, but a name,

And from thy hall of clouds descend?