Page:The Works of Lord Byron (ed. Coleridge, Prothero) - Volume 1.djvu/242

202 For Sense and Reason (critics know it)

Have quitted every amorous Poet,

Nor left a thought to seize on.

8.

Poor ! sweet, melodious bard!

Of late esteem'd it monstrous hard

That he, who sang before all;

He who the lore of love expanded,

By dire Reviewers should be branded,

As void of wit and moral.

9.

And yet, while Beauty's praise is thine,

Harmonious favourite of the Nine!

Repine not at thy lot.

Thy soothing lays may still be read,

When Persecution's arm is dead,

And critics are forgot.

10.

Still I must yield those worthies merit

Who chasten, with unsparing spirit,

Bad rhymes, and those who write them: