Page:The Works of Lord Byron (ed. Coleridge, Prothero) - Volume 1.djvu/256

216 Without a wondrous share of Wit,

To judge is such a Matron fit?

The rest of the censorious throng

Who to this zealous Band belong,

To her a general homage pay,

And right or wrong her wish obey:

Why should I point my pen of steel

To break "such flies upon the wheel?"

With minds to Truth and Sense unknown,

Who dare not call their words their own.

Rail on, Rail on, ye heartless Crew!

Your Leader's grand design pursue:

Secure behind her ample shield,

Yours is the harvest of the field.—

My path with thorns you cannot strew,

Nay more, my warmest thanks are due;

When such as you revile my Name,

Bright beams the rising Sun of Fame,

Chasing the shades of envious night,

Outshining every critic Light.—

Such, such as you will serve to show

Each radiant tint with higher glow.

Vain is the feeble cheerless toil,

Your efforts on yourselves recoil;

Then Glory still for me you raise,

Yours is the Censure, mine the Praise. , December 1, 1806.