Page:The Works of Lord Byron (ed. Coleridge, Prothero) - Volume 1.djvu/247

Rh 5.

How dull! to hear the voice of those

Whom Rank or Chance, whom Wealth or Power,

Have made, though neither friends nor foes,

Associates of the festive hour.

Give me again a faithful few,

In years and feelings still the same,

And I will fly the midnight crew,

Where boist'rous Joy is but a name.

6.

And Woman, lovely Woman! thou,

My hope, my comforter, my all!

How cold must be my bosom now,

When e'en thy smiles begin to pall!

Without a sigh would I resign,

This busy scene of splendid Woe,

To make that calm contentment mine,

Which Virtue knows, or seems to know.

7.

Fain would I fly the haunts of men —

I seek to shun, not hate mankind;